This seems to be a theme in my life lately, almost as if Someone up there says, "Oh, don't you go getting too comfortable there, Missy..." I accept that mostly. There should be a little yin and yang in life. What we have here, however, is a theme; and it's beginning to wear a little thin.
I'll give you some examples. We began ripping out invasive, climbing hydrangea, making great progress when... both Jim and I got stung by bees disturbed in the process. Jim had an allergic reaction and two trips to the walk-in later, he has his hand down to a small baseball-mitt size.
I proudly planted some chicken and hens in an old bunny planter that was headed to the dumpster. Pretty, right?
Until I knocked it over the very same day with the garden hose and broke the bunny's head off. I found a different container and replanted it.
I love it. But then I did the exact opposite of the plant's instructions. I watered it and kept it in the shade when it likes little water and lots of sun... I hope I can bring it back.
See that pretty soup toureen? Not the one from Anthro but the genuine Ironstone one in perfect condition with ladle and no chips that I got for a steal at my favorite antique shop?
Guess who, in an effort to get all the grime off of it, put it in the dishwasher? Oh, yes, I did. Only to find out that Ironstone should NEVER go in the dishwasher because it causes the glaze to disintegrate.
Joey had his annual vet visit last week. Clean bill of health! He got his Kennel Cough vaccine and Distemper only to have a reaction to the vaccine and develop Kennel Cough! WTF?! I am just waiting for Maggie to start hacking like Joey.
After knitting a throw for my mom last year, I decided that I should make another for myself. Once I got started, I wasn't as enthusiastic about knitting another all in one piece a second time. It sat in a bag about 1/3 done for months and months. Then I got inspired and picked it up again.
I knit and knit and knit some more, finishing late last night. Not one to patiently await the morning, I immediately put it in the washer setting it on "Soak 15 Minutes," which I now know from my friend Rachel means, "Soak 15 Minutes then continue on with a full cycle" FELTING THE SHIT out of my work!
I don't think I could have felt (no pun intended) worse if my dogs had just pooped all over it. Little clouds of creamy, puff balls came out of my washer and showered the floor. I stretched the heck out of it and let it sit all night. Let's just say that it is not a complete loss; it merely has that look that says, "Someone has no EFFING idea how to treat fine woolens."
So, enough of that. Here are a few things that have worked out perfectly.
Adorable "French" pillow that looks expensive but is a TJ Maxx cheapo.
Antique dog that found an appreciative owner.
Oh, and an awesome niece who thinks it's cool to help me around the yard.
I asked her again yesterday if she could just stop growing up so fast, and she told me, "This is the only size I can be." So true.
Until next post, Kisses everyone!
Oh, she is just cuter and cuter every day!
Gaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh about the blanket, the planter and plants, the bees, the allegries, all of it! (although the blanket is still BEAUTIFUL!).
C also likes to help around the house - the level of "help" varies though! Heh heh.
Posted by: RoseRed | 23 July 2012 at 05:49 AM
You HAVE had a bad run of luck, Missy! But darn, that throw is STILL gorgeous! As is Miss G. So, so pretty - and you're right: so big! When did that happen?! Just yesterday, I was scanning ravelry for baby hats, and saw a picture of her on the pattern page, and was like, hey, I KNOW THAT BABY! (Cleckheaton - did you know they were using her picture?) But anyway, the difference between it and this picture now... wow, that is crazy how fast they grow!
Harry says to give Joey a sympathy hug. He knows all about bad, bad trips to the vet - had to go get his anal glands expressed today... that was fun, lemme tell ya.
Posted by: Madmad | 23 July 2012 at 11:07 AM
When it rains, it pours. Seems to be afoot with everyone, my dear, so it's NOT just you. Really. Better days are ahead.
Posted by: NutmegOwl | 23 July 2012 at 02:12 PM
Oh dear. You have had enough for a long while! Hoping there is a turn around! But that niece of yours keeps is right and real. What a sweetheart!
Posted by: Sarah | 23 July 2012 at 02:53 PM
Aww, sorry you've had such a rough one! But wow, that throw is breathtakingly beautiful. And I'm sure it will be insanely warm come this winter.
Hope you have a sweet week!
Posted by: Nicole | 23 July 2012 at 07:33 PM
yes...it has a been a piece of shit bout of luck but...that niece of yours makes it all a ok...and yes...that is the only size she can be.
love and miss you mucho...you really have NO idea.
xo xo xo (do I need to change my name? NO...I won't...no way...no how...no no no.)
Posted by: Non-Knitting Coworker | 27 July 2012 at 07:26 PM
So sorry life has given you some road bumps..Sunshine is just around the corner..Love your blanket, your neice is SOOOO Cute.
Enjoy the rest of the summer
Posted by: Jackie | 29 July 2012 at 04:47 PM
I once felted a shrug on the soak cycle. It was a Christmas gift so I had to hurry and make another. The silver lining is that you probably won't make the same mistake again and the afghan is beautiful. The stitches really pop in the felted one.
Posted by: Beverly | 01 August 2012 at 09:54 PM
ack!
... since I seem to be plagued by the same sort of crap lately myself, I feel your pain!!
Posted by: Renee | 02 September 2012 at 07:20 PM