wildandwoolyfibers

2007-10-27T07:17:00.000-04:00

Hi Folks....Sorry I have been missing for so long. The summer went smoothly. Ryan is back up at college.

I have had some medical issues and my doctor finally decided something had to be done. I had a full abdominal hysterectomy on 10/11. I'm sore and a bit wobbly but I feel a little better with each day.

I've just been doing knitting on small items. I have started a sweater for Steve so he will quit hounding me. It's so boring! All that stockinette! I'm going to throw a couple of cables on the front just so I will have something interesting to knit.

I've sent out 5 or 6 fleeces to the processor to be cleaned and made into roving and some into yarn. I finally came to the conclusion that I didn't have the strength to wash and process them all myself. I won't have them back till winter but that will give me time to get the bunny barn cleared out and make some room in there.

Bunnies are good. We did have a scare last month with Ruby with flystrike. I caught it at the very begining and with a good shave at the vet and some ointment, she is doing fine. All of the bunnies need to be shaved. Now that the weather is getting cooler and I am home from work for a while, I hope to get that done before winter. They have some knots in their fur that need to get cut out.

I haven't really done much else fiber wise as I was feeling so poorly for so long. Our website is back up. Louet just had price increases effective 10/15. I desparately need to order some new items but right now my priority is to get my strength back.

If I owe anyone an email, please contact me again. I lost about 200 emails from the PC a few weeks back. Thanks.

2007-06-23T08:30:00.000-04:00

Ply and Boil

I've been extremely tired and achy for the past few weeks. No amount of sleep seems to revive me. I start my new fibromyalgia medication next Friday and I can't wait!

I've been a plying fool here. Every evening after dinner, I try to get a skein plied. I never realized how many single ply skeins I had scattered throughout this house. I've been gathering them to ply and boil.

That is my new procedure. Ply and Boil. I love bright colors and I tend to lean towards them when I purchase roving or fiber to spin. The problem I have noticed is that many vendors either in haste or ignorance do not set the dye. When I would wash the skein to set the twist, the colors bled profusely. I've even had some fiber that would dye my fingers while I was spinning it. That really frosts my cake! So my new ritual is instead of just washing a skein, I boil it. I set up my old crock pots*, wet the skein and put it in the pot with a little wool wash and vinegar. Set the pot on low and go to bed for the night.

In the morning, the HOUSE STINKS! What with the usual animal stink, the fragrance of wet wool and vinegar really wakes you up in the morning. But in the crock pot the wool will be hot and the water clear. All of the dye has been absorbed. I let the skein cool down on it's own as I don't want to agitate it and have it felt. Once cool, I'll wash it again to be rid of the vinegar smell and hang it out to dry.

Bunnies are good. I clipped Ruby and Eloise a bit this past week. It has been really warm some days and even with the fans and AC in the bunny barn, they were uncomfortable. Eloise hadn't molted yet so I didn't get a good length on her fur. Ruby seem ready. I didn't take it down to the skin as some breeders do. I just can't seem to do that. I clipped Isadora's face and a few knots. She freaked out as it was her first encounter with the clippers.

Then there is Henry. Henry has always been a little spitfire. He kicks. He bites, He scratches. He thumps. And we discovered, he chews his fur. Henry was and still is a mess with his coat. He is horribly matted. The mats on his back were actually FELTED. He chews and chews on it. Steve and I got a good portion of his back shaved and we had to go to the skin to do it. But his chest and belly have to be done still and he is having no part of that.

So I made an appointment for him at the vet. He has to go in on Monday night for a well bunny exam and an assessment of the situation. If he gets the okay, I will be taking him in for a sedated thorough shave AND he will be neutered. I think the neutering will help to improve his disposition. I'm just hoping the vet doesn't think he has been neglected and calls the authorities on me!
The other buns will get a knot or small mat here or there on the coats, but Henry was the worst I have ever seen. I feel terribly guilty about it, but he is a terror and I have the scars to prove it.

Ryan has been working steady and usually doesn't get home until later in the evening. He put in a 12 hour day this past week. We finally got to view his grades from the last semester and they were NOT good. We are going over to meet with GK this morning to discuss his future. GK wants him to transfer to a local school, since, as he put it," the kid is wasting money". I think there is a deeper problem and I was afraid it might be drugs. But as usual with GK, it all comes down to money. I dread this meeting. I haven't seen my GK, my ex, in well over a year and that is the way I like it.

Even though it costs us more money, I want Ryan to graduate from Plymouth. It's a good school and he can and will learn a lot. He just seems to have had a very bad semester. He will have to take a heavier load now to make up his failures, but I think he has learned his lesson. The Fs seem to have been a total surprise for him.

What with Steve being sick and all these past 6 months, I hadn't kept in as close contact with Ryan as I had in the past. He was more on his own. I didn't drive up there to check on him. Or take him to dinner or just to visit. I only went up for Spring Break. I think he needs us to make an appearance on a more regular basis to keep him focused.

Ryan has always been a quiet and sensitive kid. He thinks and wonders about everything in the universe. Where as GK, his father, is a very shallow person only concerned with keeping up appearances for the neighbors etc. The money spent for the college appears to be his major concern. As he said to me, "no use throwing good money after bad....."

Keep your fingers crossed that this meeting goes well.

* I have two old crock pots from the 1970s(one is poppy red color!) that I use for fiber and dyeing. They work great and can usually be found at a yard sale very cheap.

2007-06-09T11:43:00.000-04:00

It's been way too long since I have been here. I haven't been feeling all that well and I have finally come to realize that it's probably due to the fact that I came off of my pain medicine in early May. I was diagnosed back in 1999 with Fibromyalgia. It's a controversial disorder that causes joint and muscle pain (layman's term for it is arthritis of the muscles), memory loss, disorientation, fatigue and numerous other symptoms. Some medical professional don't believe it even exists. That is a mental manifestation--the pain is in your head! I had been taking part in a clinical study of a new medicine for it. The study ended in May. I hadn't realized how much the medicine must have been helping, because I really ache now. Even Steve has commented that my mood is miserable. Good news is that I have just signed on to start another study with a different drug. I won't receive the medicine for several more weeks though so I have to tough it out till then.

Steve is still the same. Damn fool started smoking again. He won't stop till he ends up in the hospital for a month. I'm so angry with him. He's killing himself and all I can do is watch.

We finally got our website back up and running last weekend. Sorry for the delay. We were really behind in doing the inventory. When we finally did it, it took all day Sunday. I still have some holes in the products that I need to fill, but all in good time. I've decided to no longer carry the Gaywool Dyes. The are expensive for me and they don't move. Honestly folks, there are more places out there to get quality dye at a reasonable price. I only have 4 or 5 Gaywools left and I'm just going to keep them for myself.

We stayed home over vacation. Steve worked very hard insulating and sheet rocking the bunny barn. It's amazing what a difference it makes in there. He also had the propane heater installed and inspected. We won't have frosty buns this winter.

I can't even remember what I did on vacation. I know I planted tons of flowers in our containers. I usually plant in containers as we have a lot of moles in the yard. I picked a few fleeces from a local farm. The wife is mother to a young man that went to school in town here with Ryan and Ryanne. She doesn't spin, but she couldn't just throw out the wool. She gave it all to me for free with the promise that I must dye some of it red and make her a scarf. The fleeces are filthy and need to be shirted still. I'm thinking to send them out for processing to save myself all of that work of cleaning them. I really can't remember what I did every day, but I know I was always busy.

I finished Kathy's socks. I ended up over dyeing them with Easter egg dye as the dye lots of the skeins were different and there was a noticeable line of color change on them. I refer to them now as her mottled plum colored socks.

I still need to finish straightening out the bunny barn this weekend. I already cleaned all the cages this morning. Ms. Eloise is in the house here with us. Her cage requires that I take her out to clean it. Rather than leaving her out there when she can get into trouble, I brought her in here. The dog and cats are keeping an eye on her for me. Don't worry, they won't hurt her. She lived in the house until last year so they are all used to each other. Besides she is about the same size as the cats and I think they are afraid of her.

So I traveled up to Cummington on Memorial Day weekend to attend the MA Sheep Show. I love that little show. Everything is so compact and easy to shop. It's not as spread out as the NH show and it's only about a 2 hour ride from here. I was good in a fiber sense in that I only bought sock yarn. I always buy sock yarn. It's my default fiber purchase. But I was very bad in other ways. Louise was there. You remember Louise, don't you? Louise the rabbit breeder from the CT Show?

Here is Steve with 6 week old Madeleine. She is an English Angora, like Ms. Eliose. She will molt and then I can comb out her fur. Yes, that 9 rabbits now. She was actually too young to go home with me, but Louise felt I could take care of her. Anyone else wanting her bunnies, could purchase them but could not take them home for 2 weeks. Maddy was the size of a hamster or Guinea pig. In our herd of bunnies, we now have 2 English, a German (Ruby), 2 Satins (George & Henry), 3 Giants (Isadora, Tess and Gillian) and a mixed German, English and Satin (Nigel)

Since it is miserable outside, much too hot, sticky and now rainy, I won't be finishing the garden today. It's a good day to stay in the AC and maybe spin or knit. I can't wash fleeces as they won't dry with all this dampness. I could shave bunnies, but that would take an effort on my part, Perhaps, clean the house? Never.

2007-05-11T04:51:00.000-04:00

I decided at the last minute to spend the weekend in NH for the Sheep Show. I got a room up in Plymouth for Friday and Saturday night. At least if I stay up in Plymouth, I can also check in on Ryan too. Next week is his final exams and we have to drive back up on Friday to bring him home. I know it's a 30-45 minute drive on Rte 93 from Plymouth to Concord and then about another 15-20 over to the fairgrounds. That's not too bad.

Very tired this morning. I didn't get home from work until almost 8:00 last night. Steve have been working a ton of OT too since the CT show. That is the reason our business website is still down. We haven't has time to finish the inventory. We both start on a much needed vacation on 5/18, so it will be up at least during that week.

Also, my order of Brittany orders was never received by the distributor so I had to reorder this week. I 'm sure I also need to fill some holes in the Louet inventory too.

Gotta go get packed as I'm leaving right from work. Play nice. Maybe I'll see you there! Debi

2007-05-05T07:02:00.000-04:00

Flooding is receding and almost gone on the CT River. It's still a bit high in Middletown, but that is to be expected with the Spring melt up north.

Last weekend was the annual CT Sheep Breeders Sheep & Wool Festival up in Vernon CT. We decided to be vendors in the beginning of April so it was a hustle to get everything ready. My order of Brittany Needles didn't arrive in time (they're STILL not here!) I called them and left a message, however I have not heard back from them. Anyway, I had enough of other products to keep the crowd happy.

Knitters are maturing. They no longer want the Boucle or novelty yarns. They have progressed to real wool and they are knitting real garments. Can I have an AMEN? I'm so glad the....."novelty" of novelty yarn has passed. It kinda reminded me of the Disco phase back in the '80's--it was fun, exciting, but honestly, how long could we keep up with it? My feeling is that novelty yarn should be used like spices in cooking. A little bit is interesting and flavorful and can enhance a meal. A lot can result in a trip to the Emergency room.

Anyway, this year the sales focused around yarn and knitting needles. We didn't sell as much fiber as we had last year. We decided to drop our prices and even them out for ease of payment. We are also absorbing the CT Sales tax. It was just easier to have someone hand me a $20 bill for a couple of skeins of yarn.

I was a good girl and did not shop much. I couldn't. We were too busy! I managed to snag a couple fleeces. One is a Shetland, the other a Cormo Cross. I had wanted the Cormo Cross but there were two ladies standing in front of it discussing and feeling the fiber. I waited. And waited. I walked up to the checkout table, told the fleece cashiers that I had my eye on the Cormo Cross. They looked at the ladies, who by now had just turned their back to the fleece, yet were still talking. The fleece cashier, slipped over behind the table and SNAGGED it for me! We were of like-minds in fiber. The two ladies never knew what happened. Sorry folks. This is business. You snooze, you lose. Remember in fleece sales, if you even have a slight feeling that you want a fleece, grab it and hold it until you are certain you do or don't want it. Fleece sales can be like the big sale day at Filenes's basement.

I also purchased several bars of wonderful soaps at Glastonbury Glassworks table. I love Scott's handmade buttons, but I must find a cardigan pattern that I want to knit before I decide on the buttons. On a side note, I did just purchase Bonne Marie's pattern for CeCe. I'm thinking of knitting it in a light cotton or fingering weight wool yarn.

I also bought some absolutely wonderful cordless clippers to shear the bunnies. I can't think of the man's name that was selling them, but he is at every show. He is the man with the big trailer and all of the harnesses, ointments and clippers for farm animals. The clippers run through the fine angora like a hot knife through butter. I can't say enough wonderful things about them! They were not as expensive as some (only $139). The vendor told me to but this pair as he also has rabbits and uses them. I love honest vendors.

Finally, my big/little purchase of the day.

Meet the three sisters.

I'm a sucker for tiny, fluffy critters. I left my leg and foot in the photo to give you all an idea of their (the bunnies not my legs!) size. They are about the size of Guinea pigs right now. You all know that I have been searching for a black Angora. The local rabbit rescue societies would not let me adopt as I "am a fiber person". I think that is equivalent to serial killer in their minds.

So, what's a bunny lover to do? Set up right next to us was Louise. Louise was the breeder up at the MA Sheep Show that I purchased George (formerly know as Loretta) and Henry from last year. She had Satin & Giant babies, but only 1 black bunny and she is a Giant Angora. That is a breed. They can get to be 12 pounds. Our cats weigh about 6 or 7 pounds. Our dog weighs 25 pounds. You get the idea. Big BUNZ.

I picked up and snuggled with the little black doe, promptly naming her Gillian. But she seemed scared and lonely. I thought well how about I get another to keep her company. I next grabbed the gray (color called chinchilla) bunny and called her Tess. Louise, the every wise breeder said to me, "if you buy a third one, I'll give you a discount.." She was already giving me a break in the price because of the whole Loretta/George issue. A BUNNY SALE! How could I resist? I finally picked out the cream (Ermine colored) bunny but waited for a name to come to me.

I put them all in a large box in our trailer to sleep out the remainder of the show. The name of the ermine colored doe became apparent to me during the afternoon. She continually attempted to jump and climb out of the box. Her name is Isadora (Dora) Duncan Bunz. She is flamboyant, excited and full of energy, just as her human namesake was reported to be. So, our rabbit names are:

Eloise Edna, Ruby Gretchen (a big German girl!), Henry Alexander, George Spencer, Nigel Farnsworth and the little girls are:

Gillian Mae, Tess Louise (aka Contessa or Tessie Lou) and Isadora Duncan Bunz. Yes, all of our animal must have middle names. Steve finds the "Duncan Bunz" part of the name amusing. Three baby bunnies plus the five already at home. Eight bunnies.

I think I need an intervention.

2007-04-29T05:37:00.000-04:00

April 21, 2007

We survived the flooding without building an ark. There are roads in the state that are still underwater and closed. Over the past week to 10 days, parts of CT have had over 7" of rain. The CT river is nearly as high as it was back in the 1984 when we had severe flooding.

But the sun came out yesterday and it was warm! High in the 60's F and today or tomorrow may reach 70 degrees F! Of course at the moment everything is covered in the overnight frost as it is only about 30 degrees F out there.

It's going to be another quiet weekend here of bunny and my regular chores. I haven't been feeling well lately and I have a feeling I know what the problem is. I don't want to mention it until I know for sure. I have to have blood work done next week for it.

Play nice while I'm gone.

2007-04-29T05:31:00.000-04:00

April 08, 2007

After I fed the bunnies this morning, Bailey and I took a walk down to the pond and around the roads in the gravel pit. It was very cold and windy in that open area. We've been back home for about 30 minutes, and my cheeks are still burning from the cold.

I did my best to keep her clean and out of the woods. Steve gets very upset if his precious Cocker Spaniel gets dirty. Her paws are slightly muddy as she insisted on a drink of pond water. A pair of Canada geese are nesting in some greens about 30 feet from the shore of the pond. They should be safe from predators out there. Bailey did her usual "BRUFF BRUFF!" at them. She's sound asleep already.

I finally sent in the payment for space at the CT Sheep Show. It's on the 28th of this month up in Vernon. I hope we can still get a spot. I had been waiting to see how Dennis was with his health. It's a long, cold day and it will be just the 2 of us again. We have to do all the packing and unpacking for it. We had hoped that Ryanne could help us, but she is going on vacation with her parents that week. Any volunteers out there to help? It's easier with a third person so we can take turns, go to the bathroom, eat lunch etc. Do the little things like that.

I placed a HUGE order with Louet this week. I had been slacking off because money was tight and I was concerned with Steve and his health issues. Our inventory is very low, so I really needed to order just for general business purposes. I also want to get more Denise and Brittany needles in stock too. I don't think I'll be ordering any more of the Bartlett yarns. They don't seem to be popular. I'd like to bring in a new line, but I'm not sure what to order. I still have trouble with many companies as they do not support an Internet based business. They demand a "brick and mortar" business. I suppose I could claim the bunny barn as my retail space.

We can't do our grocery shopping today as our usual store is closed for Easter. I hadn't thought of that. We really don't need much. We have enough greens for the buns for a few more days. We did make our trip to the feed store yesterday. It's a good thing we did as they are closed today also. It was absolutely packed yesterday! Why? It was chick day. They get their annual shipment of baby chicks for sale. There was a line to get in the door of the store. Kids running around screaming. Yuppie parents hanging out, drinking their lattes. Absolutely nuts. These are people that normally would never set foot in a feed store unless they sold designer clothing. They were all buying up the baby chicks because living in the country, having chickens and fresh eggs is just so quaint. Poor chicks. I wonder how many will be dead before the end of the month?

It' starting to cloud up outside. It's cold enough to snow or a have a very cold rain today. We'll be staying home. We don't have much family left to visit on holidays. Father-in-law LP is going over a relative's house for dinner. It's a short drive for him. We used to have him come down here, but he gets lost and easily confused. He would worry for days about driving here by himself. We are only about 20 miles away from him, but to him it might as be 200 miles.

2007-03-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

On Thursday this week it was nearly 70 degrees F. All of the piles of ice and snow had melted, even the driveway glacier was gone. We had mud and muck everywhere. The Spring birds were twittering in the trees. There was the smell of manure from farm up the street as the farmer spread it on his fields. Not always a pleasant smell, but we are far enough away that we just get a scent of it when the wind changes. I haven't heard the peeper frogs in the pond yet, All this activity are signs that Spring is just around the corner. Until yesterday.

We had a freakin' Nor'easter slam into our area starting early yesterday morning. The snow started here around 5:00am. I had taken the day off because I had to drive to NH to pick up Ryan at college for Spring break. It wasn't snowing beyond our little town, the storm was more to the east. I had a dry and quiet ride once I got to Glastonbury. Our usual route to the college is up Rte 2 in CT to Hartford and then get on Interstate 91 north. That takes us across the width of Massachusetts and up Vermont. Just before White River Junction, we cross the CT river into NH. The rest of the trip, about 40 miles is mostly back roads. On the trip home, it started snowing between exit 6 and 7 of the highway in VT. That meant we had to travel all of MA and CT in the bad weather. I picked up Ryan and his mountain of laundry up around 11:30 and we started the trek home. We made a quick stop for lunch in Lebanon NH, then continued the trip. We saw 10 accidents and/or cars off the road in MA. Another 6 accidents in CT.

When we got to Hartford, the precipitation was so heavy that we could not see the buildings in the city from the highway. Anyone from this area knows that the highway is a mere block away from the buildings downtown. It was a white-out condition. Around Hartford the snow changed into sleet. We didn't arrive home until almost 6:00pm. Subtracting the time for lunch, it was about a 5 and half hour trip home after a 4 hour trip up there. Do I have to tell you how tired I was last night? I did all of the driving. Steve had to stay home as it was Friday and he was working. I could have had Ryan drive, but I didn't think that would be less stressful for me than doing the actual driving myself. My hands last evening were in a stiff and curled state from holding the steering wheel of the car for that many hours (I have Carpal Tunnel and permanent nerve damage in both of them). No knitting or spinning was possible. I took 3 Ibuprofen at bedtime and they are better this morning.

Steve was just out shoveling a little bit. He gets extremely winded, but the doctor told him to exercise a little. He shovels about 20 feet than stops. He's resting on the couch now.

Ryan is asleep and I imagine he will be for a few more hours. At my insistence last night, he did not go over to see Rianne. She only lives a few miles from us, but the roads were very bad and at that time, the were going to get worse as the evening progressed. She had a fit with him on the phone and is very angry. She is young and does not always think logically. Ryan told me he doesn't care if she is angry, he agreed that it was too dangerous to venture out on the roads. She has to look at the big picture and stop being so selfish. He has grown up so much since he has been away at school. She seems to still be stuck in a high school frame of mind. Sometimes I wonder if they will stay together as they mature at different rates.

Today our plans are to shovel out and I want to do some cleaning. Now that the buns are out in the shed, I can get to my desk again but I can't see the top of it and I need to clear it off. I made of crock pot of chili yesterday but we didn't eat it as we were too tired last night. We'll have that for lunch or dinner and I plan on making some cookies. It's a good day to stay inside with my family. Stay safe.

2007-03-17T09:56:00.000-04:00

March 11, 2007

Can I hear a WOO HOO? I had my annual mammogram this week and I'm cancer free for another year! WOO HOO! I really thought this would be the year that the cancer returned. My oncologist told me to expect it to return. But I've dodged the bullet another year! I've been so tired lately. I was out of work last Thursday and Friday with some kind of flu. On Thursday, I slept 20 hours! I still don't feel up to snuff yet. I've got to back in the swing of things. I have too much to do and no time or energy to do it.

Steve seems to be getting stronger every day. He has gained weight, but so far it's not an excessive amount. He is actually enjoying food now. Something that he hasn't done for a long time. He has more energy than I do! Before, he would be the one wanting to nap all of the time.

The weather this week is supposed to be Spring like. Do you know what that means? The bunnies go out to the barn! Use your imagination to think of how stinky a tiny Cape Cod style house can get with 2 humans, 1 dog, 7 cats and 5 bunnies living it. Not pretty, is it? We have to clean out their cages later this morning before hauling them back out there. It's pouring out right not. Most of the snow is gone however the glacier in the driveway between the house and the barn was still there about an hour ago.

I invested in magnetic curtain rods and some eyelet lace curtains (Everyday Martha) at Kmart this week for the windows in doors of the barn. I had some tie dyed fabric on them before. Trust me, the curtains are much nicer. Now the barn does not look like a meth lab from the street. I had visions of walking out there at 5:00am some morning to feed the buns, bowl of kale and carrots in my hands, only to be confronted by a SWAT team. The newspaper delivery man always slows his car down when he drives by and I'm out there in the dark early morning hours. I'm sure rumors abound in the neighborhood about what is possibly going on in that little blue barn in the dark. We never did get that heater installed for the bunnies. We still plan on it, but the hill on the back of the barn has to thaw out so they can stand on it to get a vent cut in the wall.

The warmer temperatures are great for melting the snow and ice however it means another problem. It is the start of MUD season. MUD season does not affect city people. Our area is zoned as Rural Residential. There is a farm at one end of the street and another on the next street over. We have a state owned wetlands area at the other end of our street. But that end of the street is the one we use most frequently as it is the closest to our house. There are no side streets off of our street. It's just a straight shot of just about 1.5 miles. There are only 2 ways to get out of our street. The further end by the farm or the closer one in the wetlands. Problem is that the closer end is not paved. It is dirt. Or more precisely MUD at this time of year.

We have a flock of bluebirds living nearby. I haven't seen their nest, but 5 or 6 of them will swoop to the feeders at a time. Steve was feeding them mealworms for protein. I saw Robins in January this year. Temperatures later this week should be up near 70 degrees F! Crazy New England weather.

2007-03-17T09:50:00.000-04:00

Feb 17, 2007

Steve stayed home to recuperate from the hospital stay. He saw the surgeon yesterday and was given the ok to return to work. He had 1 stitch in the incision of the chest tube that was bothering him. The doctor snipped it and it feels better. His color is still good. He seems to have more energy. And he is warmer now that his blood has more oxygen in it. And he has gained 11 pounds since his lowest weight in the hospital. He really needed to get some weight on his bones. He was down to 144 pounds while in the bed at the hospital. I think that's how much I weighed in high school! His blood sugar is still higher than normal, but he checks it diligently 3 times a day.

Today he wants to go shopping. He is in desperate need of shoes. The man has ONE pair of shoes that he wears daily. He has no sneakers but he does have an expensive pair of shoes that he wears with his ONE suit to weddings and funerals. The one pair of shoes he wears them to work and basically any time he goes outside. Needless to say, they now leak. I feel like Imelda Marcos with the pairs of shoes that I have compared to him.

He also wants to take Little Miss with us today. That's his pet name for Rianne. There is a large Goodwill store up in Norwich near the shoe store. She wants to buy some inexpensive skirts or dresses for church. I also told her that if she feels ambitious, I would help her to sew a simple skirt.
After shopping, he wants to get lunch.

He's always hungry now that he has stopped smoking. He can finally taste food. He's funny with Little Miss. I think she fills the void in him for his daughter. Rianne was over last week and she brought him a present. She had painted a little birdhouse for him to hang outside. Feeding and watching the birds is his other hobby besides playing on the PC. Anyway, she told him that he should try to grow a beard. And guess what? He is sporting a sparse, but still filling in, goatee. Anything that she wants, he will do. She doesn't know it, but she has him wrapped around her little finger.

I have to get moving and start the weekend chores. Stay safe.

2007-02-14T17:06:00.000-05:00

Steve spent most of last week in the hospital. He had to go in on Monday (2/5) for a lung biopsy. We've had a very stressful few weeks. The pulmonary specialist had originally diagnosed him with IPF. It's a serious lung disease that is usually fatal within 3-5 years. He had the biopsy on Monday, but because they open the chest, he had a chest tube in draining the goo. He came home on Thursday. We had our fingers crossed.

The diagnosis is now DIP (same link as above). Don't ask me the name of the disease, I can't pronounce it. But it's not as serious as originally thought. Basically, he has a chronic inflammation in his lungs caused by years of cigarette smoking. If left untreated, it could have progressed to the more serious IPF (something Pulmonary Fibrosis). For treatment, he has to be on steroids for an undetermined amount of time to reduce the inflammation. He also has to check his blood sugar 3 times a day. Evidentially the steroids cause blood sugar to spike. So far so good. We are very thankful that he has a chance now.

He has to stay home all this week to recuperate. He has three small holes on right side. Two from the procedure and one from the chest tube. His color is much better and he is taking deeper breaths. He says he still has the urge to smoke, but he has finally realized that he can't do it.

Work has been busy which is good. It helped to take my mind off of Steve while he was in the hospital.

Bunnies are good, but stinky. Yes, they are still in the house. The propane company is coming out on Friday to install the heater in the shed for them. The town inspector will come out to inspect on Tuesday and if he approves, the propane company will hook up the gas on Tuesday afternoon and we will have a warm shed that night. The bunnies will be back out there Tuesday night.

We are currently having an ice storm. We only have a few inches of snow, but now everything is coated in ice. The wind is supposed to pick up tonight. Great.

2007-02-02T20:48:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note, our business site will be down for a week, Saturday to Saturday. Steve has to go into the hospital. Thanks

2007-01-28T20:11:00.000-05:00

Okay. So last week I brought Frau Ruby in the house because we had to give her a bath. We still have to give her the second dose of the Ivermectin in a couple of days. She is doing much, much better. Last night we gave Eliose, Henry and George a dose of it too.

I've been looking for a gray and or black bunny to round out the herd. Chris sent me an email. She needs to reduce the number of buns in her herd, and she just happened to have a gray buck.

Meet Nigel (formerly known as Mojo because I must use human names for the rabbits)

It's hard to tell with the light in this photo, but he really is gray with a brown face. He is about 3 years old. He is a German, French, Satin mix. He is also in the house now. He's very, very calm and mellow. He wasn't spooked by the dog or cats trying to smell his backend. He remained quiet while I made dinner and ran the dishwasher afterwards.

Today we must bring Ryan back up to college. On the way home, we plan on stopping to look at propane heaters. Once we have heat installed, the buns can go back to the shed. We'll keep it cool, just to 40 or 50 degrees, but it will be warm enough so their water and food doesn't freeze.

2007-01-23T16:55:00.000-05:00

Steve seems to be getting somewhat better. He had to have a few tests at the Pulmonary Specialist's office yesterday. They oxygen level in his blood has increased and he can walk longer and farther without getting out of breath. We're hoping that this is a good sign that the disease has done all the damage it was going to do. He won't heal and be rid of the damage, but we're praying it's not progessing and that he will get worse.

Frau Ruby looks better too. We gave her the Ivomectin and Rianne and Steve gave her a bath in the kitchen sink. Rianne gave her a blow dry hairdo and she is nice and fluffy again. I bought another cage to keep her inside until she dries. The temperature in the bunny barn was 6 degrees F on Saturday morning.

It's supposed to be down around 0 degrees F at the end of the week. Last night on my way home from work, I was freezing. I was so cold that I felt very guilty about the buns out in the barn. I stopped at the feed store, bought a second folding cage. We set that one up, the one with Ruby and I brought the boys and Eloise in the house. They are all on the floor in the room formerly known as the dinning room.

We live in a very small Cape style house, it's only about 1200 sq ft. Imagine living in his house-2 adults, 1- 19 year old son, 1 Cocker Spaniel, 7 Cats and now, 4 bunnies.

I know how Dr. Doolittle must feel.

2007-01-21T07:45:00.001-05:00

I've been very achy this weekend. The bursitis in my shoulder has been acting up. I aggravated more yesterday spending a few hours outside in the cold and wind scrubbing the bunny cages and doing bunny related chores. I had a shot of cortisone in it about 6 or 7 years ago. Back then it was so bad that I couldn't raise my arm to brush my hair. It might be time for another shot. My hands and arms are also sore and but I think most of that pain is caused from the excessive amount of typing I have had to do this past week at work. I took 3 Aleve when I went to bed last night (at 7:00PM!) to ease up the pain. Yes, I know the dosage is supposed to be only 1 pill, but I had taken Naproxen for years for my migraines before it went over the counter. I feel a little better today, but I don't think I'll spend so much time outside or in the bunny barn.

Rianne, Ryan and I went to the feed store yesterday to get more Timothy hay and to get a cage for Ruby. Frau Ruby is currently residing in the downstairs bathroom next to the washer and dryer. She is a mess. Chris, told me to gave her a dose of Ivermectin to kill the mites and any other buggies she may have. Her fur has been wet from all the licking, it has turned an ugly yellowish shade. And she stinks. Really, really stinks. I thought the bad small was from her hutch, but it still smelled in the bunny barn after I had scrubbed them all out. She stinks. When we got her back in May, she had scabs on her back then. We thought it was just do to a large fur mat that she had been biting. I think she has had these mites all along. So at the feed store we bought a cage to bring her in the house. Her fur is finally drying out but it still smells. I am contemplating giving her a bath today. She seems to feel better and has stopped the licking. If I bathe her, she can stay inside for a few days or a week until she is thoroughly dry. Bailey, Cocker Spaniel is quite concerned about her. The cats are mildly curious. There's nothing worse than stinky buns.

I STILL have to do my CT Sales tax sheets. I know, I know. Why did I wait till the last minute? I must get the info together today. Next weekend is another trip up to NH to bring Ryan back to school so I will lose at least one day there.

And finally...

Steve is having some serious medical issues at the moment and it's not good. He went to the Pulmonary specialist this past week and he has learned that in addition to the emphysema, he has pulmonary fibrosis. It's not good. The doctor showed him the chest x-rays. He has black spots all on his lungs. The doctor also told him that depending on if the disease is still progressing, he will just stop breathing one day. He has to go this week for a ton of tests and then meet with the doctor again the following week. And the doctor told him to bring me along. I don't like the sound of that. He gave the doctor his cigarettes and he has not had one since Monday. He also has not committed any homicides. He seems to have more energy and he actually looks better now that he isn't smoking. He's not coughing as much and we have both noticed that his breaths are deeper. He's also not as cold now that his blood has more oxygen in it. He (we are) is very scared about this. We don't know what or how long the future will be. Please send us some prayers and positive thoughts.

....Steve just went upstairs and he is not out of breath! That's good news.

I really need to keep busy now so I don't worry about Steve. Unfortunately, by hands are not cooperating and I cannot knit or spin. I guess I have no excuse now so I can get that tax paperwork done.

2007-01-15T06:27:00.000-05:00

My heart is breaking! For those of you that have placed orders with us, you know that I wrap the items in cute sheepie tissue paper. I attempted to order more of that yesterday. It's no longer available with the distributor! I have sent them an email in the hope that they may have a box or two out in their warehouse that I can purchase. If not, I have to find a different design. The ones that I looked at yesterday do not relate to spinning or fiber or anything. I still have some of the tissue paper left, but not too much. My other problem is that I have several boxes of ribbon that is color coordinated with the sheep paper. I have to find something that will match the ribbon I have on hand.

Someone had asked me about my spinning. The antique wheel that I just purchased is actually the 4th wheel that I have owned. I have a Lendrum DT that I purchased about 4 years ago when I started spinning. I purchased it before we became Louet distributors. I use that one most often. I had another Lendrum ST that I sold at the CT Sheep Show in the Spring. I have a Louet S-17 that a local person has on loan from me at the moment. For the money, it's a good starter wheel. And now I have Prudence, the antique Shaker wheel. I'm using Prudence now to spin some lovely tan alpaca. Her bobbin small though so I will need to spin many more skeins to have enough for my project. If you want to read my profile, it's over on our regular website under "About Us".

It's a nasty, cold and rainy day so far this morning. Still mostly dark and gloomy outside. The temperature is supposed to drop significantly and everything will ice up. I only have to venture out on the roads this morning for a trip to the dentist. After that, I'm going to hide in the house, do some chores and watch the weather. We haven't had snow yet this season. Very strange..

2007-01-14T10:43:00.000-05:00

I had to drive up to New Hampshire to pick up Ryan and his roommate D from college. They both are in the band and had spent the week recording their music. It was a long drive as the town is on the border of Maine. Rianne made the trip with me to keep me company. She was very chatty and she entertained me with the stories of what she has been doing lately. She and Ryan are getting along a better. It seems that they have turned a corner in their relationship. She has to get used to the fact that he is not going to always be available for her. She must find her own friends and make her own joy. When I was her age, I clung too much to my boyfriend (GK who eventually became Ryan's father) and because of it, I look back now and realize that there were many missed opportunities in my life. I should have finished college. I should have attempted living on my own, I should have traveled, I should have made friends outside of work. Back then I had hobbies but my life revolved around GK and work. I didn't pursue any creativity alone. I spent nearly every non-working, non-sleeping moment with him. I should have pursued my interests, but I was very insecure and afraid of making my own way in life.

Anyway, it was a long day in the car. Three+ hour drive each way, a few pit stops and a hour food stop on the way home. D's father drove to our house to pick him up. They live in the southwestern part of the state, nearly to New York. His dad was thankful that I had made the trip up to get the boys.

I still have not done the business paperwork! I had planned on doing it on Friday, but I had to go to the doctor and get my hair done. I hadn't had my hair colored or cut since October! I had some very big gray roots! If I were to let my hair grow out, I would look like Lilly Munster.

Currently I'm working on a scarf for the Red Scarf Project. It's a worthy cause, but I just can't seem to stay motivated on it. I'll finish before the end of next week as I really need to get it in the mail. The other ladies in the spinning group are working on them. I want to get a photo of all our completed scarves before we need to pop them in the mail. I'm also spinning and I'll probably start knitting soon another scarf. This one is tan alpaca and it was requested by Darlene at work. In a rather tipsy moment at a party at her house, she wanted to know why I had never made her a scarf as I had been to her house three times. I promised her I would make her one and she chose the fiber out of some I had here in the stash.

The bunnies are good, except Ruby. I had let her fur grown long to keep her warm. I had planned on trimming it last week but never got to do it. Well, this week I looked at her and she was wet. Then it got worse and she became more wet. Then she started to smell funny. Evidentially, she has fur mites and she has been licking up a storm. Thursday night I had to cut nearly all of her fur off. It was stinky and wet and in spots, a bit yellowed. I had to throw most of it away. I inadvertently nicked her back with the scissors so she also has a cut there. Her back has what looks like severe dandruff that resembles ground up oatmeal. At the advice of Chris, I have ordered some medication for the mites from a farm supply store in Alabama. I will try it and if it doesn't help, I'll take her to the vet. I need to learn how to care of the buns on my own without running the vet all of the time. That just gets way too expensive. I have some topical ointment from the vet that I had to use when Eloise had an infection. I've been putting it on the scissor cut to help it heal. I always feel just awful when I cut them! She is still perky and eating well though so I'm not too worried. She just looks bad.

Today we are going out to lunch with my father-in-law, LP. He is taking Steve, myself, Ryan and Rianne to a restaurant with a regular Sunday brunch type buffet. It's his Christmas gift for all of us. This is the first chance we have had to go since the holidays. It should be a nice relaxing time, and I don't have to cook or clean up!

Next week I hope to put together an order for Louet. I know my inventory is low and I am out of a few items. I just haven't had the time or means right now to concentrate and order what we need. First, I must get a jump on the paperwork. Tax time is just around the corner.

Nearly time to get Ryan out of bed and force him to take a shower before we go out to lunch. He stinks after living a week in a basement music room with 4 other young men.

2007-01-07T06:48:00.000-05:00

Very strange weather patterns this year. Record warm recorded at the airport yesterday, 72 degrees F. We have moths flying around the porch light and numerous robins running about the yard. This is not good. I worry what the lack of the snow ground cover will do to the water table. I'm always worried about our well running dry. Animals that should be hibernating are awake. The insects are out. The trees here have not started to bud, but I'm sure they are thinking about it. This weird weather will affect the maple syrup collection too as that requires a certain amount of cold temperatures before the sap starts to run. We are having a January thaw before we had a good thorough freeze. The ponds have not frozen yet and I'm certain that the peeper frogs will awake too early.

Next weekend is a long one for us as our company now closes for Martin Luther King Day. I really need to jump into the paperwork for the business. State taxes are due at the end of the month. We haven't had many CT sales as we are strictly internet based, but I still need to report and pay them.

We still have to take down our Christmas tree today. That's only about a 15 minute job for us since we bought the artificial one about 6 years ago. I did all the other decorations down yesterday, well, except for the wreath on the front door. I never know what kind of winter decoration to put there after the holiday. We need something colorful what with the drab gray landscape of the season. I would put a small quilt there, but the western sun would mercilessly fade if in short order.

Today is St. Distaff's Day. It is the first day after the end of the Christmas season (yesterday was the Epiphany) and it was the day that women returned to their spinning. You can read about it here. Today I need to do the usual chores of grocery shopping, feed store shopping, laundry, bunny hutch cleaning, order processing and general house cleaning. In addition, I want to finish the mittens I am knitting for the woman in my department and in celebration of St Distaff, I want to spin more on Prudence.

I guess I had better get off of this computer and start to work. Happy day!

2007-01-01T06:48:00.000-05:00

A cold and dreary start to the new year. It's still dark outside, but we had freezing rain over night that has now turned to all rain. It's very cold and damp out there. I'm glad we're inside. Once it gets light, I will go out and feed the bunnies. I don't want to make my way out there in the dark in case there is still ice on the stairs. Not much is happening here. We made a couple of large sales in the past few weeks that I have to order directly from Louet-the items were out of stock. I must get out bookkeeping caught up to do the sales tax and such this month. I finished most of what I wanted to make for Christmas gifts. Here are the photos of the finished items.

This scarf grew to gigantic proportions once I washed it. Yes, it is nearly 10' long. It's made from an angora yarn that I purchased from Chris at Woolybuns. I would put a link up to her blog if I could figure out how to do it. I really hate this blogger software.

We had a quiet New Year's Eve as usual. Steve and I managed to stay awake till nearly 9:30! We haven't seen the midnight celebration in years as we get up much too early in the morning. I hope everyone had a safe and happy time of it. For us, it's business as usual. Happy 2007.

2006-12-17T08:03:00.000-05:00

Our orders for the business have picked up a little, but not as much as last year. I don't know if it's the sign of the economy or if it's just that we don't have enough variety of products. It's expensive to stock inventory and try to anticipate what will sell. Our yarns seem to be the slowest sellers. The needles and spinning fiber fly out the door. I like the Louet yarns but I think folks tend to go to actual yarn shops for yarn.

I simply have to show you what I purchased off of Eb@y last week:

What we know about it: On Eb@y, it was listed as a Shaker wheel from Maine. They thought it was from the 1800's.

My friend Jessie found it listed in Spinning Wheels and Accessories by Michael B. Taylor and David A. Pennington . This book is like a spinning wheel encyclopedia. Here is what it says about it: "NM is listed as Nathan Merrill of Alfred, ME. Shaker 1743-1819, Deacon at SDL 1796-1809, Alfred 1806-1809." So basically, it is over 200 years old. It was only missing the drive band and the distaff. I don't use a distaff and twine works as a drive band. It spins wonderfully. It was a pick-up only purchase and at first I almost didn't look at it. But it turned out that it was here in CT in Litchfield county, about an hour drive.

Go ahead, guess how much it cost, I'll wait..................

Give up? A beautiful, 200 year old WORKING Shaker spinning wheel, only $125.00!!! Estimated value is actually $400-$600. It has all of it's original parts, except for the distaff. No scratches or nicks on the wood. Even the leather pieces that connect the footman are original.

It was listed as "Buy it Now" And I did! I've been wanting an antique wheel for sometime. I want it for the times when we give demonstrations. My Lendrum works wonderfully, but it doesn't have the visual appeal of the antique wheel. I'm not usually the type of person that names inanimate objects, but I felt this beautiful piece needed a name. I have named her Sister Prudence. It seems like a good Shaker name.

2006-12-05T18:06:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited! Look what I just bought on Eb@y!

2006-11-04T16:51:00.000-05:00

I got the job! They made me an offer yesterday. While I wasn't offered as much money as I wanted, it's still a good jump in pay for me and only slightly less than I was making when I left my permanent job. This means I'll get insurance, disability, a pension, 401K, PAID holidays and maybe next summer, I'll GET A VACATION!

It's so strange to actually be a part of the department instead of the temp where I always had to hold back or "know my place". Everyone was always nice to me but as I temp I always felt that I was on the outside looking in. Now, I'm actually part of a team and they do work as a team. Amazing.

I'm very tired and I have a headache today. One of the women in the department had a party last night. And now that I am officially an employee there, I felt obligated to go to it. It was fun, but I didn't get home until after midnight and the animals made sure I was up by 6:00am this morning. I only had a couple of glasses of wine and I stood around in the sidelines, watching everyone else. There had to be at least 40 people there, many had way too much to drink. Steve didn't go with me. He has had a very large sty in his eye, deep in his lower lid. He had antibiotic drops from the doctor, but after a week they were not helping. He had to go yesterday and have it lanced! Yuk! His eye was all swollen and black last night. Needless to say, he wanted to stay home and put ice on it.

It's supposed to be sunny but very cold all weekend. Today I'm going to spin and knit and probably nap. I have a ton of small projects swirling in my head that I want to do for Christmas. It sounds like today will be another good day to stay in the house. I'll do my chores tomorrow.

2006-10-28T14:45:00.000-04:00

Strange weather today. Almost hurricane or tropical storm like but it came at us from Tennessee rather than the southern Atlantic. And it is warm. Up over 60 degrees F. Yesterday morning when I went out to feed the rabbits, it was only 26 degrees F. A bit of a deviation, eh? We're having buckets of rain with flash flooding, high winds of 50-60 mph and now the thunder has started. Very strange for the end of October. Of course, when they first announced that this storm was headed our way, they called for snow instead of rain. Guess we got lucky there.

I have been exhausted all week. I've been dragging myself to work and then fighting not to fall asleep at my desk. I don't know if I'm fighting off a cold or the flu or if this is just the result of the two previous busy weekends. My legs have been like rubber all week too. I usually take about a mile walk at lunch time and I haven't had the strength to do that this week. I have a stuffy nose and a bit of a sore throat. And my GOD it's HOT IN HERE! I could have a fever too. I woke at my usual weekday time of 4:00am today thanks to various cats and Ms. Bailey. They do not understand the concept of sleeping late on the weekends. I did a few odds and ends and then fell back asleep at 10:30 this morning. Woke up coughing and I thought I was melting I was so hot. Yeah, I guess I might be sick.

I'm giving myself today to get over this. I don't have time to be sick. I took a shower and I chose to get into sweatpants and a tee shirt, which is strange for me. Normally on the weekends I am showered, fully dressed with makeup and jewelry by 8:00am at the latest. This is out of nature for me to still be lounging at 2:00pm.

I had a second interview yesterday for one of the jobs in the department where I am a temp. I also received a call and an appointment was set up for Monday with the big manager to speak with me. I think it looks good that I will get a permanent job there. It's not the job that I had initially wanted, but the more I hear about it, the better I think I'll like it. Out of the 3 jobs I bid on there, this one is the lowest paying but it also is the least amount of stress with very little deviation in hours or overtime. I really don't want to work OT unless it's absolutely necessary. I have enough to do here what with guild meetings, spinning and knitting groups, orders for the business to fill and animals to feed.
I'm spinning some Louet Merino/Silk blend in Glacial Green. It's a light, pale green. I haven't decided what I want to do with it, but I just needed to spin something this morning rather that trying to concentrate on a knitting pattern. My brain is a bit cloudy today.

My Louet order came in this week but more than half of the Northern Lights was on back order. We've suddenly been selling quite a bit of it and I'm disappointed that I didn't receive it. Please be patient if you are looking for some of it on our site.

Oh, dear. The wind is now howling outside. Very creepy sounding. The trees are virtually leafless. I suppose if I must feel ill, today is a good day to stay inside. I'm going to try to get some more spinning done before the fever climbs again.

Stay safe.

2006-10-22T07:04:00.000-04:00

My weather report for today is again the same. It's very cold out at this time, only about 35 degrees F. It's supposed to slightly warm up later than around dinner time and cold rain is due in. Summer is gone.

Steve and I drove to Rhinebeck NY yesterday for the Duchess County Sheep and Wool Festival. Normally I go up on Friday and stay the weekend with the girls from the guild. Unfortunately, that was not in the budget this year. Besides the usual cost of lodging, meals and all of my purchases, I would have also lost a day's pay on Friday. There's always next year.

Anyway, this was my fourth visit to the festival and all I can say is OH MY GOD! I have never seen that many people there before. There were THOUSANDS of people. It was nearly impossible to shop. I came home with extra bobbins for my wheel, a couple of batts from Grafton Fibers and a souvenir tee shirt and calendar. That was it! One of the batts is for Rianne. I didn't even buy my usual default purchase of souvenir sock yarn. I had wanted to buy dyes from Little Barn. His prices are great. I had to push my way into the back of his tent, I found the dyes but there was a line of at least 30 people at his register. I don't need them that badly. I'll order online. I then had to push my way back out of the tent. It was so crowded everywhere that I started to get claustrophobic. I get that way at Christmas time if I have to shop at the mall too. We never got anything to eat as the lines at all the food vendors were just as long. Steve was getting cold, tired, hungry and cranky. I was just about the same. We left at 1:00. I didn't even bother to check out the fleece sale. Last year, I was first in line. I couldn't wait to leave the chaos.

I met Gail, Kathy and Jessie only once when we first arrived. I never saw them again. Usually, when we all go, we shop separately but see each other throughout the day and meet up for lunch. There were just too many people. I couldn't have found them if I needed to. Since I never found them again, I was unable to give them my Bingo badge. Sorry folks.

I had to go to Rhinebeck this year because I was a participating square in the Rhinebeck Bloggers Bingo. I met a few other squares, but they did not have me on their cards. I also had to deliver an order to a lady that we all know from PA. I never found her, but Jessie expected to meet up with her and she took the order from me to deliver.

Rhinebeck is the fiber event for this part of the country. I'm disappointed that it was so crowded. I'm sure the vendors did very, very well. I walked by the vendor that sells Socks that Rock yarn around noon (I can't remember her name). Her yarn racks were empty and she too had a line of 20 or so people waiting to check out!

Anyone that is going to Rhinebeck just today, I wish you luck. I don't think you'll find much left to purchase.

I had to place another order with Louet this week for more of the Northern Lights fiber. It's seems to be catching on in popularity. Either that or now the cold weather has people thinking of spinning more. The order should be here next week.

I've been told that I'm going to get called for a second interview for one of the jobs in the department. It's not the one I that I really wanted, but I'll see what happens. It's the lowest paying job but I'm told that starting salary is negotiable. It's also the lowest stress job. That's a plus. The company had some lay-offs last week. Someone in Hartford that I had to talk with daily is now gone. She was a nice lady. I miss her. Steve is safe. No job cuts in his department. And where I'm assigned, they are still growing. Hopefully I'll get one of the jobs. It would be nice to have benefits again.

Today is my day for chores. Steve and I are going to head out to the grocery store and feed store soon. There is absolutely no food in this house. Really. We've had cereal for dinner a couple of nights! I never went shopping last week so we are very low on everything. We must stop at the feed store for more bunny kibble, hay and of course, the homemade dog biscuits they sell for Ms. Bailey. After shopping, I must do the laundry and if it ever warms up a bit outside, wash out the bunny hutches. It never ends.

2006-10-19T17:18:00.000-04:00

Okay, since I will only be at Rhinebeck on Saturday and not the entire weekend, I'm going to hand off my name badge to someone in my guild. Here are some photos. Look for these ladies! Of course, I haven't asked any of them yet so I don't know which one will be willing to wear the name tag.

And here is a lovely picture of me. It's about a year old but I still look about the same. See you Saturday.

2006-10-18T18:11:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note to tell you that I will be at Rhinebeck on Saturday only.

2006-10-14T05:53:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note. It is still very early but I must get ready to leave by 7:30am. This weekend is the annual open farm and museum weekend at Blue Slope Farm in Franklin (Bozrah) CT. It's a great time for families. There should be a Colonial encampment, oxen wagon rides, pie eating contests, quilting, a blacksmith, butter churning, 4-H kids usually have a booth or two, and my friend Jessie and I will be weaving and spinning. If you are interested in taking a nice ride on what is supposed to be a beautiful autumn day, come over for a visit. There is an admission fee, but I really don't know what it is. You can give them a call. Their website is here for directions: http://www.blueslope.com They haven't updated the site in a while, but you can see some photos of previous events there.

It's 32 degrees F at the moment. We will probably be in the loft of the barn for our demonstrations. It's going to be a bit nippy.

Hope to see you there.

2006-10-07T09:57:00.000-04:00

My weather report for today has stayed the same as the last time I posted. Sunny but cold. Only 42 degrees F in the bunny shed. It's supposed to warm up later today, but there is no escaping Autumn.

I am sick. I've had a scratchy throat for a couple of days. This morning I woke with it sore and my head is full of cotton. I can't breathe. My eyes are droopy. It hurts to swallow. I really hate it when I'm sick. I have so many things that I want and need to do, but all I have the strength to do is sit here like a lump. I could have slept this morning for hours. However Westchester cat and Ms Bailey the Spaniel had a different idea. They both jumped on the bed and I swear they were marching around me. It wouldn't have been so bad except we have a water bed. They create a Tsunami when they walk around. I'm sure there were other cats up with them also. They made sure that I was up and moving by 5:00am.

I was supposed to go to the Nutmeg Spinners meeting today. It's an all day event and I know that I couldn't handle that. I'm really going to need a nap soon. I wanted to go just in case some of the new people from Madley Spinners showed up. If you ladies are reading this, I'm sorry I couldn't make it! Tuesday night is the Madley meeting. At the Colchester town hall from 7:00-9:00.

Steve has just left to go to the grocery store for me. I can't handle that either today. We don't spend much now that Ryan is back at school. But we do need the basics of bread, milk and of course, carrots and kale for the bunnies. A new store opened up in the next town. The prices should be a lot lower that our local grocery. The local store is a big chain name, but they have some of the highest prices in the state. Many weeks, we drive over to Norwich (about 20 miles) to grocery shop. The store there has great prices and it really is worth the trip. Just to compare, a simple can of tomato soup is 40 cents a can less at the store in Norwich than from our local grocery.

When I got into work on Monday, I had a message that management wanted to interview the next day for all three jobs! I don't know how it went. I can never tell with interviews and I've been disappointed so many times before. But I will say that after the interview on Tuesday, they have started treating me differently. I was given a big project and told to "run with it". The woman that just quit had been working on it. I have to set up procedures and processes while remaining within the guidelines established by our legal dept. I've also had to sit in on two conference calls with field representatives. In my opinion, these are not responsibilities normally assigned to a temp worker. Still keep you fingers crossed. I was the first person that they interviewed. I know that they have received over 60 applicants. It would be really great to get a regular full time job and that way I would actually get paid for the upcoming holidays. Not to mention the additional cash.

I think I'm going to make some oatmeal and go back to bed now. Bye.

2006-09-18T17:56:00.000-04:00

Northern Lights In Stock!

We received our shipment of the Northern Lights wool from Louet and as a spinner, I LIKE IT! It's processed as a pencil roving although all of the information I saw on it at Louet did not mention this. Also, just look at how much is in an 8oz bag!

I quickly spun up a mini-skein just to get an idea of what it would look like.

Suggested retail price is $22 for an 8oz bag. Our price is $17.60. Well worth it that that much fiber.

2006-09-17T08:04:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was bunny trimming and grooming day. Rianne came over to help. She had worked about 6 months at the local vet last year so she is very good with the clippers. My job was to hold the rabbits while she clipped and when we stopped, we were both exhausted. I can't say that we finished, as Henry took a dive from my arms and we were not able to catch him again. He is silly looking now with only one side of his hind quarters finished and a big collar of fur around his neck. But by that time, we were all tired and stressed out so we stopped. We had been working on them for over 3 hours. I had to hold them, with a certain degree of firmness yet not enough to crack their hollow bones. Eliose was by far the best bunny. She let us do what had to be done including cleaning her undercarriage.

Frau Ruby was horrible. It took forever to clip through her dense, thick fur. She bit me twice but did not break the skin. I then double wrapped my arm in a thick towel. I could feel her trying to nibble me still.

The clippers slid through Henry's fur like butter. The Satin Angora's fur is much finer and softer than Frau Ruby the German. Next time we catch Henry, it shouldn't take too long to finish him. He too was trying to bite me so I don't want to work on him alone.

We never got around to George. But he was just combed out when he went to the vet a few weeks ago for his "tumors", so I don't think he has too many knots left. He is more mellow now that we no longer call him Loretta.

The weather is great now. Steve removed the air conditioner from the window in the bunny barn. He left them up in the house for now as we could still get hit with an Indian Summer. I planted a small vegetable garden in June. Just this week, the tomatoes are finally ripening! And I started with plants, not seeds. It has taken forever this year. I also planted some kale for the rabbits. It was looking great and then one morning I went to check it and it looked like Swiss cheese. Teeny, tiny little caterpillars were all over the plants. Within a couple of days, the plants were gone. Damn, didn't see that one coming. That is the extent of my gardening this year. I did fill the usual containers and buckets with flowers. It's been so wet that we have mushrooms everywhere in the yard. My garden which I was so proud of back in 2000 is a mass of overgrown weeds. Steve hasn't been cutting the grass as frequently because it's always too wet. He usually take the weed trimmer to the garden but he has done that lately either.

Ryan seems to be doing well at school. I don't know about academically, but socially, his calendar is full. His band is in the process of finding a new drummer. The kid that was their drummer last year, Mike, had a hissy fit and didn't want to play with them any longer. I think it's Mike's loss and he also lost the friendship of the guys. Ryan said they have an opportunity to work a steady gig at one of the restaurants near school. The place wants to hire the local bands for the weekends s they would be playing either a Friday or Saturday night there. He and his roommate Derek have their weekly show on the campus radio station again. Ryan does seem to like his classes again and now that he rooms with Derek, he's happy. Derek also comes from CT. They met last year and became friends. The two of the write the songs and music for the band. Perhaps they are a budding Rogers and Hammerstein?

Rianne is attending a local community college. She seems to have adjusted well. She had always wanted to become an Art Teacher for elementary school aged children, but now she is changing her mind. While she still loves art and small kids, she's afraid if she had to do it for an occupation that it would turn her against art and that she would never want her own children. Instead she is leaning more towards the medical field. She's thinking about being an operating room technician to start as it only requires an AA degree and eventually going into nursing to become an RN. That way she could do her art and painting and it would still be a pleasure for her. She likes working in a medical environment and she loved to assist in the surgeries when she worked at the vet. She does not want to do that however as she becomes too attached to the animals and wants to take everyone home. She seems to be so grown up now.

As for the business, we have some new roving from Louet on order. It's a fiber similar to the Corriedale, but it's a mixed bag of color. I don't know how else to describe it. Steve has pictures up on the site to look at it. We expect it in stock sometime this week. I don't have a retail price yet but it will probably be somewhere between $12-$18 for an 8oz bag. The Yak roving is still out of stock with Louet. I have to call them this week to see what the problem is with it.

We also now have in stock drop spindle kits. They are top whorl spindles and the kit contains three different fibers totaling approximately 4oz, either natural colors or dyed(colors may vary) and a small trial size bottle of Meadows Wool Wash. I had received requests in the past for just such a kit. I'm hoping that they will still be in demand. They would be a good gift for someone who is just thinking about learning the method.

That's about all I have for news this week. Send me an email if you have any questions.

2006-09-03T05:04:00.000-04:00

We are still in the aftermath of a very weakened hurricane Ernesto. It's rainy and very windy. The yard and deck are littered with sticks, branches and bits and pieces of leaves. I'm afraid there won't be very pretty foliage this year as most of the leaves have already fallen off the trees while they were still green.

Steve is certain that we are in for a bad winter. He is predicting that based on the fact that the acorns have been falling for several weeks already. Soon I have to think about getting a load or two of wood for the stove. I must remember to call the chimney sweep before we light our first fire.

I think Autumn is my favorite season. Summer is good, but most of the time it just too darn hot and humid for me. What's the fun of Summer if it must be spent in air conditioning? I love Autumn with the cool nights and mornings. We've already had to break out the sweatshirt and light jackets. The downside of Autumn is the shorter amount of daylight and the fact that winter with it's ice and snow (and oil bills!) is just a couple of months away.

Today, amidst all of the rain and wind, we have to finish packing the car and trailer and drive Ryan back up to college. It's about a three and a half hour drive in good weather without hauling the trailer. I hate to think how long(and how much gas!) it's going to take us today. As a returning student, he can't start his move in until 2:00pm. We might stay overnight up there and finish up in the morning. It's just too exhausting to try to do it all in one day, plus driving the 230+ miles each way. It's at times like this that I really wish he had gone to school locally.

Now that it's cooler, I'm thinking of knitting again. I have started, stopped and ripped out a countless number of projects this Summer. I could not get motivated. I just finished a simple, big, floppy winter hat for Rianne last night. It's made from very soft homespun yarn. I dyed it green with one of the Gaywools dyes and I also added a couple of orange stripes (Kool Aid dyed). It's the colors of the Irish flag and I know she will love it. She's attending a local community college this year and I wanted her to have a warm hat for the walk across the campus.

I have an idea percolating in my head for a knitted coat. I purchased all of that brilliantly colored roving at the NH show in the Spring. I'm thinking of the coat looking almost like a patchwork coat of many colors. The earliest ETA of it would be in the late Spring. I'm not going to set a deadline for myself. That's too much pressure as I still have to finish spinning the yarn.

Yes, I love color. And yes, I can be tacky at times with it. I still occasionally wear tie-dyed tee shirts. I think the fact that I worked in the field of banking/legal for 22 years has caused me to need bright colors now. All that time I had to spend in subdued grays and blues with the almost always present string of pearls around my neck. I can't remember the last time I wore those pearls.

Steve is still asking for his pullover too. I started one last year using a formula on circular needles that I thought I had calculated correctly. It was raglan but before I had reached the collar edge, the knitted mass was enormous. If I had kept up the same rate of decreases, it would have been large enough to use as a cover for our barbecue grill! I guess I had better use an actual pattern and not try to be clever and design it myself. We had a good laugh the night he slipped it over his head and the waist band was mid-thigh and the arm holes hung down near his hips.

I still haven't brought any new products for the business. I just have not been able to focus on it. I hope that once Ryan is all snug in his dorm room, life here will return to a more normal routine. I did bag up some fleece that is a Cormo X. It's a beautiful fleece. No, really! I bought the same one last year and kept it for myself. And with that one, I didn't even wash it before I started spinning. The fleece is just THAT clean! This year the farm contacted me and asked if I wanted to buy it again and I jumped on it. That purchase was my main reason for making the horrible trip up to the NH Sheep and Wool in that monsoon in the Spring.

I have a large Louet order due in next week. They are now offering drop spindle kits. I've had requests for those so I hope they will sell. Before we became vendors, I actually purchased a Louet bottom whorl spindle off of eBay. Honestly, it's my favorite bottom whorl spindle. It spins evenly and smoothly. I have spindles that I have purchased that are much more expensive, but I find myself returning to the Louet.

Well, it's just starting to get light outside now. The last load of laundry is in the dryer (I've been awake over 2 hours already). It's time to get going here and start the big move.

2006-08-21T20:30:00.000-04:00

A Tale of Two Bunnies

I've been worried sick about Loretta since last Thursday. She hasn't been eating as well as she usually does. Also she has been somewhat aggressive.

On Saturday I took her out of the cage to trim her nails. At one point, I flipped her over and saw the biggest tumor I have ever seen! It was the size of a kiwi fruit. The fur was knotted and the entire area appeared to be very sore and swollen.

I clipped the knots that I could remove without cutting her skin and then I made an appointment at the vet. I thought about getting in for an emergency appointment, but there is no doctor in the office on the weekend at my vet and I would have had to travel to a different town to have her seen. Steve reminded me that she was still drinking and eating a little and that she was alert and not listless. He felt that she would be okay until today's appointment.

My usual bunny vet office made an appointment for us tonight. I had Steve rush home so I could change my clothes and get her there as quickly as possible. Ryan and Rianne came with me to help with whatever needed to be done. We knew that he would at least have to clip or shave the area to get a better look at the tumor.

We waited for an eternity as they had an emergency and it backed up the appointments. I was afraid to take Loretta out of the carrier so I had the doctor do it.

We all stood around the examination table as her took her out of the carrier and flipped her over with the help of his assistant. He confirmed that she has a tumor. In fact, he told me, she has two of them.

He said they are also sometimes referred to as testicles.

Loretta is now called George. As in Boy George.

2006-07-31T18:23:00.000-04:00

We're in the midst of a heatwave. Over the next few days, the temperature is supposed to be over 100 degrees F. I'm so glad we have the air conditioner for the bunnies. It doesn't cool thoroughly out there as the unit is small for the square footage, but it is comfortable for them.

Frau Rudy went for her well bunny visit and she is fine and healthy. As the vet put it to me, the only thing about her he didn't like was her haircut. We had given her a quick clip to keep her cool. It's not the most attractive, but it works.

2006-07-17T20:42:00.000-04:00

No news is good news.

After more than a month from last post, I have nothing really new to add regarding the business.

It's hot and most people are on vacation and they are not interested in purchasing fiber, especially wool. So, sales are slow right now. It slowed down last summer also. That's okay. It gives us time to do work around the house.

Steve had vacation last week and I took just two days off. We spent Thursday over in Newport, RI visiting the mansions and pretending we were wealthy. We spent the next three days staining and sealing our deck.

The bunnies are doing well, but they have been suffering in the sweltering heat. Parts of the state reached 105 degrees F today. I was worried all day at work about them. I really thought we would lose them with the heat. When we got home, I gave them all new ice bottles and I washed their ears with cold water on a face cloth to help bring down their temperature. Meanwhile, Steve could not stand watching the little ones panting heavily in the heat and humidity. So what does my kind hearted husband do when we got home from work today? He went out a bought an air conditioner for the shed to keep them cool. Yes, an air conditioner for the bunnies. He tried to tell me that he bought it to keep the fiber at a constant temperature and humidity. But I know him better than that. I dread getting the next electric bill.

I haven't brought in any new products and I would like to do it, but I still haven't decided what direction to head. It's so hot now, I'm really having trouble focusing on orders.

It's already dark outside and I haven't even finished my chores tonight. Where did the evening go?

2006-06-11T07:30:00.000-04:00

Where does the time go? I really need to take a few days or a week off to get things done around here. But that means I lose money. I'm a temp worker so I'm not paid if I'm not in the office. But still...There is so much I have to get done and not enough time to do it all on the weekends!

IT'S NOT RAINING! I'm so excited to see the sun this morning. Everywhere outside are mushrooms, slugs, algae, and slime. We have had rain for weeks now, inches and inches of it. I still have about $200 worth of annuals and perennials to plant. I know I won't get them all in today. I at least want to get my containers and flower boxes done. It's also been very cool almost cold. So far today it's only about 50 degrees F with the overnight temperature down in the 40's. There is also a good, stiff breeze. It should help to dry out everything.

Blasted caterpillars have taken over. They parachute from the trees onto everything. I even found one in my bed under the covers! It must have hitched a ride in on my clothes.

Back to business. I've come up with a name-Pine Brook Fiber Studio, the new home of Wild and Wooly Fibers. Pretty snazzy for a shed, eh? Today I have to enlist the help of Steve and the kids to move in a couple of more tables and my loom out there. I still have some inventory in the room formerly know as a dining room. That should all go out to the Studio too. Steve hooked up a couple of fluorescent lights out there this week so I can go out in the wee hours of the morning to feed the bunnies and pull stock for orders.

The bunnies are thriving! I had to separate Henry and Loretta this week. No there wasn't any funny business as Henry is still too young, but Loretta was dominating him. She was nipping his back and generally being annoying. Maybe she is ready for a little action? Poor little fellow couldn't eat or rest. She made a mess out of his fur and I had to cut out a bunch of knots on his back. He has his own cage now and he is much happier and friendlier. Frau Ruby is still very cautious and somewhat leery of me. She is getting better, but still rather aloof and stand-offish. I had to buy some chew toys for her as she is gnawing on the beautiful (and expensive) cedar hutch we bought her. Ms. Eloise is still the Grand Dame and she rules the Studio. I just had her out of her cage for a long while this morning. She was hopping, jumping and running all over the place. She wasn't too happy with me when I finally caught her to put her back in the cage. She gave me a very loud warning thump, just to remind who is boss. I would expect nothing less of her.

The acceptance of charge cards seems to have increased sales slightly. I just have to keep track of all the debits and credit hitting my account. I get a service fee from the merchant sales company for every sale. It's a lot of transactions to watch over.

I haven't ordered any new items recently. I'm unsure as to what direction I want to take for the future. Currently there is a lot of interest in sock, lace and fingering weight yarns. I don't carry novelty yarns so I don't have an idea of those sales. It seems people are now expanding and more and more, I read about people dyeing and creating their own unique yarns. I have a few of the Gaywool dyes in inventory, but their hasn't really been an interest in them. I'm considering just discontinuing them and either selling the stock to friends or just keep it for myself. There are good dye companies out there, people are just going elsewhere. My other option is to find a less expensive dye and offer it. I have made up my mind yet. I can't afford to invest a lot of money to buy a full spectrum of colors offered by the chemical companies and I hate to second guess which colors will sell.

Opinions and suggestions are welcome. Email me.

Debi

2006-05-27T18:11:00.000-04:00

Someone please stop me.

I went to the MA Sheep and Wool festival today. I bought some roving, a new drop spindle, some fiber for Rianne to spin and two bunnies. Yes, you read that correctly. Two more bunnies.

Wasn't I just complaining a couple of days ago about having to take care of Ruby? Didn't I say that I didn't have time to properly groom her and Eloise?

Meet Henry and Loretta.

Henry is the small brown boy and Loretta is the large tri-color. She is about a month older than he is that is why there is such a size difference. No, they are not English Angoras like Eloise. No, they are not German Angora like Frau Ruby. They are Satin Angoras. Who knew that this was a completely different breed? Not me.

When will I learn?

We now have 7 cats, 1 dog, and 4 bunnies.
That new shed is filling up fast.

2006-05-26T04:47:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note to say that our website will be offline for most of the day. Steve is installing and testing new software. Soon we will be ready to accept credit card payments instead of just Paypal!

Debi

2006-05-24T19:21:00.000-04:00

We finally have the Wild and Wooly Studio/Barn/Shed!

It arrived on Friday 5/19 while we were struggling in NH to get Ryan's dorm room packed and cleaned and get him moved back home for the summer. We still have more inventory and business items to move out there. Last weekend it rained again so we didn't have a chance to finish in between all of the showers. We even had hail during one bad storm!

(Yes that is a screened porch, just perfect for spinning)

It also has a small loft that we can store all of our empty bins and boxed items. We are also awaiting the approval of our charge card service. Soon we will have that option for purchases instead of just Paypal.

Today finishes up our week of birthdays. Friday 5/19 was my birthday. Sunday, 5/21 was Ryan's birthday and today is Steve's. Thank goodness all that gift giving is done and the checkbook can recover.

Tonight we went out to dinner with Steve's father. He took us all out for our collective birthdays. It's just easier than trying to give us gifts. Ryan received an MP3 player and a digital camera for his birthday. We are calling the studio/barn/shed as my birthday present but there was more. This is what Steve and the kids (Ryan and his girlfriend Rianne) conspired and bought for me.

This is Ruby. She is a 1 year old purebred German Angora. She belonged to my friend Gail. But Gail didn't have the time to keep up with her coat so she wanted to sell her to a good home. Rianne heard she was for sale and convinced Steve to buy her. And they think I have time to keep up with her coat?

I'm somewhat apprehensive about her. Ms. Eloise Bunny is an English Angora Mix. I chose her specifically because the English Angoras moult. If I give her a good brushing her fur just combs out. The English Angoras don't need to be shaved. They can be shorn but they don't need to be. The German Angoras do. At least 4 times a year. And they have to be brushed a lot so they don't get fur mats and knots. The fur of the German Angora is highly priced and much sought after. I just don't know if I'm up to the high maintainence. I had wanted to get another bunny, but I had planned on another English one. I don't know if I want this much work.

Of course at the moment I am suffering with allergies. No really, I'm SUFFERING!. I can't breathe, I need cough medicine with codeine, my chest feels tight when I try to take a deep breath and my head is pounding. Hopefully once I get over this sickness I'll feel differently about Ruby. I remember it took a few weeks for me to warm up to Ms. Eloise. If I decide not to keep her, Gail said she would take her back. That is reassuring for me.

This Saturday is the MA Sheep Show in Cummington MA. I think I might make the trip up by myself. I need some alone time to think about things.

Play nice until next time.

Debi

2006-05-13T18:30:00.000-04:00

I did it. I drove 350-something miles round trip yesterday. In the torrential rain. To New Hampshire. I had a good and soggy time by myself. I met Dave and Sean and Norma. There may have been other bloggers there but it was raining so hard outside it was difficult to speak to any one and I am a relative stranger in blogland. I did check on Chris to see how she was doing. She said she was happy and surprised with the amount of business she had received up to that point. She had spent the night sleeping in her car with just her Woolybuns to keep her warm.

I bought batts. Lots and lots of batts. I know I shouldn't say that as I am a vendor, but our business fiber is different. It's for the business. I feel very naughty when I use any of our inventory. It's the forbidden fiber and yarn. I'm ever so thrilled when something happens to a skein and it's too messy to sell because it becomes MINE! I have actually been accused of removing skeins from the plastic bags and buckets and leaving them where the dog can get to them. Lies! All lies.

Anyway, the batts I bought were from Grafton Fibers and she had every color in the rainbow, including some rainbow batts. Since I couldn't decide on a color, and I was feeling deprived what with not purchasing anything at the CT show, I bought 8 of them. They are glorious! The colors are brilliant. They make me happy. I wish that it wasn't so dark and gloomy outside so I could look at them in the sunlight. I do plan on giving a couple away. I just have to decide which ones I can part with.

I started spinning one this morning that is a poppy orange-red. It has bits of dark purple in it for depth and contrast. I normally don't like orange, but for some reason I could not get enough of this color yesterday. I also bought one that is just a shade slightly darker. I tried to just spin them together but I was getting that dreadful barbershop pole effect. I may just Navajo ply them together instead to keep the shading separate. This color is so warm and pleasing I just want to crawl into it. It reminds me of a summer's sunset. Of sitting out on the deck, smelling the newly watered petunias while sipping wine and watching the fireflies out in the yard. I guess it's been a long winter for me!

Today it's back to reality. Must get the weekend chores caught up. Hopefully, our shed/barn/studio will be delivered in another week or so. I really need to get this wool out of the house.

In just two weeks is the MA Sheep Show! Woo HOO! See you there.
Debi

2006-05-12T18:47:00.000-04:00

NH or Bust

My group of friends has decided not to go up to the NH Sheep Show. We have been having torrential rain here and flooding is expected. The southern part of NH is under a flood watch also with the possibility of 4-5" of rain to fall before Sunday. Common sense would tell me not to make the almost 4 hour drive by myself up there. But who said I had any sense?

I REALLY, REALLY want, no, NEED to go to this show. I have been feeling deprived since I was unable to shop at the CT show. I know that as vendors we did very well, it's just that we were so busy I was unable to leave our space to go shopping. I also have a fleece waiting for me and I want to pick it up as I had promised the vendor that I would be there. It's bad business to make promises that I don't keep.

I won't make up my mind about going until tomorrow morning.

2006-05-09T04:58:00.000-04:00

A Day Off

I decided to stay home from work today. I had an outpatient medical procedure done yesterday and I think I want to be a baby and take today off too. It was nothing serious. Since I have had cancer before, the doctors keep after me to get things done when they say they must be done.

So, what shall I do today?

I have all sorts of tasks that I need to get done that I never have time to do on the weekends. I have phone calls that I need to make for Dad's estate. Not that he owned anything, but there is still SO much paper work to be filed. I have phone calls that need to be made and I don't like making them from work. The walls have ears.

I really need to organize, file or shread the mountains of papers that are growing with the business and personal issues here. There is so much, a bond fire might be needed instead of the shreader.

Anyway, this is supposed to be a fiber blog. Enough of my rambling about everything else.

I have a few questions to pose to any fiber readers out there. First, what do you think about Cascade Yarns? I finally received a phone call from one of their sale representative a couple of weeks ago. Is there any interest in this line of yarns?

Also is there a need for us to offer regular credit card sales instead of Paypal? We are just wondering if we are missing many sales because we don't currently have this option. There are quite a few fees involved with this for us and we just don't know if it's worth it.

I decided to make the trek up to the NH show this weekend. The gang is leaving Salem (CT) around 5:30am to get up there shortly after the gates open. I received a note from Donna at This and That Farm in VT that she has a fleece from the same ewe as the one I bought from her last year. It's gorgeous! Pure white and very, very clean as the animal was coated. It's as soft as butter. There is a great deal of lanolin still in the wool however. It feels strange to spin in the grease, but it really helped my dry fingers and cuticles. Kat Smith of Stonesthrow Farm in VT also has great fleeces, often they are the winners at the fleece contest. If you attend the NH show and want to buy an entire fleece, check out these two vendors. Their stuff is great.

I'm thinking of bagging up more fleece for sale. I have sold out of the Merino/Cheviot/Corriedale mix that I had bagged up for the CT Show. Is anyone interested in this concept? I figure an entire fleece is overwhelming to a new spinner. But smaller packages introduces the spinner to the wool without the big headache and storage space required for the entire fleece. Besides, the small bags are easier to sneak in the house and hide from your partner.

The landscaping crew has been here on and off all day. They have brought in fill to level the area for the shed/barn/studio. They will top of the dirt with crushed stone so the shed will be stable.

If I behave and finish my chores, I might even get some knitting done today.

Debi

2006-05-07T05:54:00.000-04:00

"A dish pan of spaghetti? Why did you make spaghetti at this hour? Why is it in the dish pan?" That's what sleepy Steve asked me very early this morning when he ventured out to the kitchen for his first cup of coffee. No it's not spaghetti, of course it's wool. I finished spinning this yesterday and set it in the water to soak and eventually hang out to dry. I foolishly also set a skein of a mohair blend that is a lovely earthtone color. It never occurred to me that it might bleed. This skein was as pure white as the driven snow. It now has a distinctive tea stain color to it. I still have more of it to spin so I guess I will just dye it all a dark color, perhaps a purple or blue and live with it.

I'm attempting to clean up the odd bits and pieces that I still have in my stash. I purchased the fiber above at Rhinebeck two years ago. I don't remember if it's Icelandic or Polworth. I know it's different that what I usually spin. I like it, it's just feels different.

I have fleeces that I want to wash and set out to dry. The problem that I discovered yesterday is that I can't put anything out on the drying rack on the deck as I normally do, because, THEY'RE BACK!

The blasted Gypsy moth caterpillars are out. Millions of them. Tiny little 1/2 inch long critters crawling over EVERYTHING outside. Steve and I stood out on the deck yesterday discussing the location of the shed and such. I didn't realize the buggers were on the deck. I came in the house and they were on my arms, in my hair, on my feet. They crawled onto the chair, the bathroom counter, every where! Last year they were very bad here. It was unnerving to go outside and actually hear them munching on the leaves.

I hope the trees survive this year. Last year some of the neighbor's trees didn't make it. We are one of the few houses on this street that still has a wooded area in front. Our yuppies neighbors have been cutting everything down. Why would someone move to a rural wooded area and then proceed to cut down all of the trees? I love our trees. They provide us with privacy from the street, shade, and a wind block in the winter.

I haven't decided yet if I'm going to the NH Sheep and Wool show. Last year our knitting group filled up a B&B and we all spent the weekend. This year, some of the group have other commitments or family things to do. They are going to make a run up there (leaving CT about 5:00am) and just staying for the day.

I didn't buy anything at the CT show this year. I noticed that I have changed since we became fiber retailers. With the hundreds of skeins and bags of roving sitting in the next room, I seem to have lost interest in buying anything for myself. I think I'm on fiber overload. I have to find something that is extraordinary before I will purchase it for myself. Although I would like to buy some roving for myself. But.....I'm trying to clear out the stash. It's a vicious cycle.

I'm feeling a bit melancholy today. Today would have been my father's 91st birthday. He just past away on April 1st this year.

I'd best keep busy today to keep my mind off of it.

2006-05-02T04:49:00.000-04:00

Hooray!

We finally have the building permit. Steve went to Carefree and put the deposit down for our shed/small barn/studio structure. We should have it in place sometime before the end of the month. I don't know really what to call it. It's going to be a VERY BIG shed or a very small barn. It's 12x20'. To give you a perspective of that, our house is only 26' long. We live in a very tiny Cape, that's why we need this building. We have fiber or fiber related tools and equipment in every room except the upstairs bathroom. It's a good thing that our son Ryan is still at college. There is fleece spread out on the floor of his bedroom!

To keep all of our Louet, Bartlett and handpainted skeins clean, we secure them in plastic bags inside of huge Rubbermaid tubs. We have more of these tubs(16-20) than you can imagine stacked in the room formerly know as the dining room. It's going to seem strange to actually have room to walk around in this house.

The only problem will come when we get an overnight order such as today. It's 4:49AM and I have already boxed up an order for shipment today. Steve gets the postage labels printed. I do all of the wrapping of the items. When we get the shed, we will have plenty of room to work (without cats!) but there won't be any electricity out there. We haven't figured out a solution to that yet.

I just want to explain to everyone out there that has received an order from us. I have tape issues! Yes, I know your box was most likely covered in packing tape. I cannot for the life of me, handle that #%$@* packing tape! I generally end up using too much of it and it is wrinkled an uneven. The tape sticks to me, the table, a cat, the side of box, etc. My tape issues are a never ending source of amusement of Steve. I really HATE that packing tape.

I also wanted to mention that Steve and I work full time jobs (40+hrs a week each) in addition to running this business. That is why when you call our toll free number, you have to leave a message-we're probably at work. Our phone bank for the toll free number is actually in California! The wonders of modern technology. It notifies us when we have a message. We used to just give out our home phone number for the business. We had to stop that after we received a phone call at 2:00am asking about knitting needles.

Speaking of work, it's time to get ready for the day. I must make lunches and get myself out the door by 6:30am! Have a good day everyone!

Debi

2006-04-30T05:35:00.000-04:00

Success!

The CT Sheep and Wool Festival was a success. A big thank you to everyone that stopped by our space. Steve and I are exhausted. He never had a chance to take photos of the events. I didn't buy ANYTHING. Why? We were busy! Our sales were more than double from last year. We met many folks walking around browsing and I hope maybe we made some new friends.

Our website remain offline until later today. We must first still unload the trailer and do a thorough inventory. But right now, it's coffee time.

Debi

Later... 7:16pm

We finished the inventory a short time ago. Steve is still entering the data onto the website. He should have it back online within an hour. It's been a long day!

2006-04-22T18:28:00.000-04:00

For some reason Blogger does not let me add more than 1 photo in a posting. So, here is the completed wheel. Yep, all assembled in one afternoon. Pretty good, huh? The most difficult part that I think is the assembly of the bobbins. Mine are not completely level so they appear to wobble a bit when they spin. But it works. What does concern me is that I ended up with 2 hooks left over. Could they have really given me extra pieces as Steve insists?

2006-04-22T05:32:00.000-04:00

Countdown!

One week until the CT Sheep and Wool Show. We have SO much to do here to get ready for it.

Today I must:

Assemble a Louet S-17 Spinning Wheel to have for demos. I want to do all of the assembly myself so I will have first hand knowledge of the process to explain it to my customers. Since our house is very small, the operation will take place on the kitchen floor, the only fairly large open area(I used to pin my quilts there). I'm quite certain I will be assisted by Bailey our Cocker Spaniel and several cats. I'll have Steve take pictures so I will have a photo documentary of the process. I guess I had better shower and do something with my hair then.

I must weigh out and bag up small portions of washed fleece to sell. I've come to the conclusion that many new spinners are intimidated by an entire dirty fleece. I'll feed their habit with my smaller, cleaner bags of wool. I'm such a fiber junkie.

I may also bag up some of the wool I dyed this past winter. It's not the greatest, but it certainly is colorful.

I must put price tags on our bags of assorted roving and miscellaneous items. I don't have to do the yarn as it is almost all the same price.

I also need to do the normal weekend chores of laundry, bill paying etc. You'll notice I did not say cleaning. I do not clean. I am not sloppy. I'm domestically challenged. We live in filth. Deal with it.

We did the grocery shopping last night so we have no excuse nor reason to leave this house until Monday morning. Egad.

The shed/barn process is proceeding at a snail's pace. We now have 3 of the required 5 or 6 signatures of various town officials on the building permit. The sewer dept. Inspector came to our house to take measurements on Thursday. Steve tells me that he measured. He paced. He placed stakes in the ground. He dug small holes. His conclusion was that we had to move the proposed location west about 5'. Our first choice was too close to the very end of the leech field of the septic. This will now require more work to prepare the site. We will have to have fill brought in and stone and it will need to be leveled. To compensate for the additional cost of the site preparation, we may need to go with a smaller structure.

It's starting to get light outside finally. The sky in the east is bright salmon color. A definite indication of the heavy rain that we are supposed to get this weekend. Red sky in morning...

Later...

I didn't get everything done today that I needed to get done. But I finished the assembly of the S-17. I didn't sand it. I just put it together. I only needed Steve to help me with one screw. My carpal tunnel damaged hand just could not sufficiently tighten the screw. The instructions were a little vague, but I managed to get through them. I made some notes on them to myself and I'm going to keep them in case anyone needs help.

Here is the box and contents when I opened it.

2006-04-16T18:14:00.000-04:00

New Products!

They're here! The hand painted skeins from Jessie at A Piece of Vermont. Take a look!

2006-04-08T06:13:00.000-04:00

Couldn't sleep.

I've been awake since 2:00am. Darn cold had me up and coughing. It's going to be a long day!

Good news! My order of handpainted yarns should be available later this week. Jessie's work is beautiful. But don't take my word for it. Visit her blog here: http://whathousework.typepad.com

We've started the wheels in motion for the bunny barn/studio. We ordered it but they won't start to build it until we give them a deposit. And we are waiting on the deposit until we get a building permit. And of course we can't have the site cleared and leveled until we get the permit. No point in doing all that work if for some reason the town won't let us put it there. We have almost an acre and a half of land, most of it wooded. So there has to be some place we can put it if they reject our first choice.

This month, the Madley Spinners here in Colchester meet on Wednesday instead of Tuesday. The Town Hall bumped us for some silly official meeting or something. We can't complain as we get the room for free.

It's a rainy morning but it's supposed to clear eventually. A good day for a nap.

Day 1

2006-04-07T05:28:00.000-04:00

I decided to set up this blog as a way to reach our customers. I will try to update it regularly.

This week we received some new products. We now have black mohair roving that is a soft as velvet! I wish Steve would allow me to spin some. I purchased some goat hair. It's very rough. I think it should only be used in rugs or some sort of fiber art. Nothing wearable and close to the skin. I also purchased a few skeins of KidLin yarn. It's Kid Mohair, Linen and Nylon. It's a laceweight yarn and it's soft. I think it would be perfect for lace shawl. If you are interested in it, I can order other colors.

Also we are in the planning stages of having a small barn or large shed built for our property. Our business has taken over the house and we need space to store everything. Ms. Eloise Edna is going to live out there during the summer months too. I hope to get an additional bunny or two to keep her company. I may have to install an air conditioner to keep her cozy.

The barn will also be used as a studio and warehouse. We live in a rural residential area. Technically, we cannot have a retail site on our property because of zoning. However, the farm on the next street sells produce and cheese from their property. I figure if it is called a studio and if someone stops by and wants to make a purchase, that would be okay. Just so long as I don't have regular posted hours. And I'll finally get my loom off of the dining room table! It will be a great space to dry yarns and fiber too.

We hope to situate it so it will overlook my garden out back. Of course that means that I will have to keep up with the weeding.

We're still waiting to hear if we have a space at the CT Sheep Show. The show is on Saturday, April 29th at the Tolland Agricultural Center in Vernon CT.

That's about all of the news for now.
Debi