Meet Black Jack.  That's what we're calling him.  Or Just Jack.  With out jazz hands!  We really don't know what his name is.  We bought him yesterday.  The man we bought him from is a horse trader and had taken him as part of a debt.  He doesn't need him and so. . . .  He is about 20-25 years old, has packed and been ridden.  DH rode him yesterday and he did well.  DH and the mule!   He is very friendly, described as "Dog friendly" by previous owner.   How true.  He is a paint mule.  He has a couple of white spots on his right side and 4 or 5 on his left.  He has a grey belly and muzzle with light coloring around the eyes.  He is going to fit right in.

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Now that we are not going to be building a new home anytime soon, the question becomes "Where do you Spin?"

Right now, I have a small set-up in a small bedroom, approximately 100 sq ft, that still has a bed in it.  It's a pain, because I can not have everything set up all at once.  I would like to be able to leave my sewing machine up, all of my wheels set out and ready and also have a space for my circular sock knitting machine and a place to do dyeing. 

Ideally, a studio should have a wet and dry area.  A large work table, plenty of light and storage capacity.  Right now, I have  none of these.  If I want to spin, I must put everything else somewhere else.  If I want to sew, I have to find a table to set the machine on.  Even trying to keep track of all of my fleeces and different yarns is a drag.  I did get info on a knitter's project sheet, but even that seems to much to think about.

So, spinners, where do you spin?  Do you make do, or do you have a space that is dedicated only to spinning?

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Have you ever been so stressed out that you don't know how stressed out you were  until some of the stress is gone?  That happened to me today.

To say this has been an incredibly tough year is an understatement.

• DH started surgeries in January, was off work from January until May, not back to full duty until August
• Daughter 2 graduating from college
  
• 6 close friends or family members have passed away, this year isn't over yet, plus the loss of our Bud.
• two surgeries for me plus wondering if I had suffered a previous heart attack without knowing it.
• Expensive vacation (that I wouldn't have traded!!!)
• trying to find a house  plan that we could build, and afford, and be comfortable in for our retirement.
• Daughter 1 having her car crashed into (while parked)

Well, most of these things are or were out of my control.  Today, one big thing was lifted from my shoulders and I can't believe what a heavy burden it was. 

I am talking about building a new house.  We have some property not too far from here that is idyllic, bucolic, isolated and beautiful.  We have spent over 5 years in acquiring this property with the idea of  building a retirement home on it.  I have researched and looked at hundreds of floor plans, spent hours doodling my own, and countless hours of driving and looking to find the 'perfect' house.  Today, DH and I went to visit some more.  We found a bargain, a 2600 sq ft manufactured home with high end details for less than $100K.  It was a home that could have suited us.  But. . . .   after lengthy and honest discussion we have realized that building a house on this property may not be the best choice for us.  I, for one, am a person who does not do well being isolated.  I have never lived alone and I'm not sure how I would cope being alone most of the time, with no social contacts close at hand.  The cost of developing the property to make it ready to put a house on is over $20K.  We have some local property that is literally right down the street from where we live now that is larger than where we are at and has all utilities at hand.  So, for now, at least, we are putting any plans of building a new home on hold.  We are just not prepared to go forward with it.  And until today, I just didn't realize how stressed out this has made me.  Now, I can get back to worrying about my upcoming surgery and possible surgery for DH's knee.  Oh, the joys of growing old.

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Have you ever had a premonition? Did you heed it?
Submitted by aynge.

My 'premonition' was in a different form.  One night, years ago, I woke from a deep sleep because it felt like I had taken a hammer blow, or a gun shot to the back of my head.

The next day, the news described a murder of a cab driver not too far away.  A day or so later, while driving, I saw some kids driving a car and thought "How can those kids be driving that car?  It is way too expensive and fast.  Turns out they shot the cabbie and had stolen his car.  Yes, that car.  They were driving it around like a bunch of idiots.  Still gives me chills to think about it.

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This past week was spent in Spokane, Wa.  Particularly pretty in the fall.  I spent some time at one of my favorite shops, Paradise Fibers where I went looking for. . . ., well, just looking.  Instead of walking away empty handed, I found myself the new owner of an Ashford Country.  This is well, big.  The ratio is about 3.6 : 1 and I think I can put about 15 pounds (not really) of yarn on a single bobbin.  One of the things that frustrates me

Country

Along with the Country, PF offers a $40 fiber coupon, so I got some more flax (not the strick that I was looking for, but the louet fine roving), some silk bells (can't have too many) and a bit of silk ribbon.  I also bought an extra bobbin for the Hulk.  Just in case.  

Other adventures in Spokane:  Sew EZ Too.  A great fabric shop that also carries yarn, embroidery supplies of all kinds and beading supplies.  They have some absolutely beautiful fabrics for wedding gowns and lovely lace insertions.  While there, I bought some Clover looms,  they're plastic and are like the daisy looms, but different sizes and shapes.  I can use these for tenerife lace, a cord maker, and some beaded bag frames.  I love making the little beaded bags. 

We also and I should say finally made it to White's Boots.  I think we finally found a pair of boots DH can get his foot into, I mean wear.  Not to mention the great Columbia wear sweater I found at 70% off!!!  Love it.

As far as the food goes:  First stop, of course, Italian Kitchen.  One of our favorite Italian eateries in Washington State.  The stuffed mushrooms are to die for.

The best meal by far was to be had at Milford's Fish house.  Very reasonable prices and the food is incredible.  I ordered "Salmon Bellies" for an appetizer.  Grilled belly meat served with sake and sesame vinegarette.  A salad of apple and fennel with cranberries and for the main course, Parmesian Halibut with cream cheese mashed potatos and brocolli.  Desert was creme brulee.  Wow.  We are going back there for sure.

Well, off to fine tune the Hulk. 

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Bud is the blond

A few years ago we became the retirement home for two wonderful mules.  Sue and Bud were brother and sister, Sue being the oldest by a year or so.  They were raised together and did many things in their long lives.  We think they started out as logging mules, but by the time they came to us they had pulled, packed, and be ridden for close to 40 years.  Sue, being the oldest, was the first to go.  It was hard to watch her suffer from colic.  She just got so old that she couldn't properly digest her food anymore.

That was a while ago.  A couple of years.  Today, Mr. Bud met the same fate.  Even with the help of our very dedicated vets at Animal Hospital of Pasco, he was unable to recover.  He went gently.  He had his ears up and was happy to see Tom at the end. 

Bud was bullet proof.  I can't think of anyone who met Bud that didn't love him.  He was gentle, kind and patient beyond belief.  Many little ones have had their first 'horse' ride on Bud, but don't you dare call him a horse!!  He would follow me around like a puppy, always looking for treats.  Just the other day he broke into the shed where the treats are stored and grabbed the bag so he and Lady, his pasture companion could share them.  Well, Lady doesn't exactly share. 

I wish you could have heard him talk.  No, not like Francis the Talking Mule.  Mules don't sound like anything else.  They don't sound like horses or donkeys.  They don't bugle like elk.  But once you hear it, you will never forget it.  What a special time we have had over these last 3 and half years, although, it seems like Bud has been part of our life for so much longer. 

Rest peacefully Bud, and know that you are missed.

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Le-morte-darthur00

I have just finished listening to THE MISTS OF AVALON.  What a wonderful retelling of the legend of the once and future king.  Is it true?  Did any of them ever exist?  Would some archeologist find the great sword?  I hope so.

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24 twelve ounce jars of lovely, purply, grape jelly.  With Amy's help, today was the day.  Now, if only I had some fresh baked bread!

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On a scale of 1 to 10, how well do you sing?

inside my head, i'd say a 9.  truth is, i can't carry a tune in a bucket.  :(

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The question is:  Do we stay in the house we've been in for over 25 years that is really a pain, or do we build a new house that will suit our future needs better and take on the debt? 

Part of me (51%) really, really wants to build this new house.  We have had the opportunity to walk through the same model while it is being built.  We love the floor plan.  I would finally have a studio.  There would be room for the girls to come and visit.  45 acres.  No neighbors.  NEW HOUSE WITH LOTS OF STORAGE!!!!  Some of the pros.  The cons:

Money.  Ugggggg.  If only the lottery could be a sure thing.  I mean, someone wins those millions of dollars, right???

Hmmm. 

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