Another family picture taken with a view of Taal volcano.


This was taken at the Palace in the Sky, a vacation home for the Marcoses that never got finished because he was overthrown. It's not familiar to me since we had already left the Philippines when it was being built. I wish I had taken a picture of this structure. It would have been magnificent had it been finished. There were no walls, just a veranda running around a center support. The metal railings are rusted and falling apart but the location was perfectly situated on top of the mountain.

Lizard

Or should I say lizards. They're all over the Philippines, inside and out of homes, trees,just everywhere. Americans call them geckos but to us Filipinos, they're just plain lizards. I remember when I was growing up there, how they would just drop from the ceiling onto my neck and me running around like a chicken trying to get them off. They feel cold to the touch. My kids were fascinated but didn't dare to get any closer either.

Little red house
One of the fascinating things we saw in Manila was this red house (smack dab on the center of this photo). This was in one of the poorest areas along the Coastal highway. That is a 4-story house, only a few feet wide. I swear, if you stretch out your arms, you can touch both walls. It's in what we call the "squatters' area". Lacking land, they have to build up.

The yellow jeep is one of the famous passenger jeepneys, which seats 12-15 people, and can take you anywhere in Manila and the provinces.

Taal Volcano
One of the places I wanted to visit on this trip is the famous Taal Volcano which can be seen in Tagaytay. It's an active volcano in the middle of a lake. Last time it erupted was in the 70s but with the more frequent tremors happening recently, it's due for another eruption. Tagaytay has become ritzy and popular to retirees looking for affordable places to live in the Philippines. Tagaytay's climate is perfect .

Thunderstorm
This was what greeted us as while flew in to Manila. Massive thunderclouds, dark rain clouds and lightning. They shut down Manila Int'l Airport because of it. We later found out that heavy rains like this can shut down their radar/GPS thingies. No planes can land until the rain stops. The funny thing is, the 15 days we were there, it rained for 14 days, only in the afternoon, lasting for 15-30 minutes, and always in the afternoon. Guess what? A majority of incoming Int'l flights arrive in the afternoon and evening--lol!

We're home!! Actually, we've been home since Saturday.

I have a lot to say about Hawaiian Airlines. It's very convenient to fly Hawaiian since it's the only airlines, that we know of, flying from Sacramento to the Phils. But it's plagued with delays. Going to the US and coming back is a never-ending list of delays. We almost missed the connecting flight from Hawaii to Sac because of delays.

Some are unavoidable, I know, but what are the odds?

I miss my hometown but not the humidity and heat. I miss my cousins and aunts and uncles. I even miss the continuous noise of the the jeeps and tricycles even through the night and early hours. I don't miss the mosquito bites. I have 26 bites on my legs and arm. They're almost gone now except for the faint brown marks.

It was sad saying goodbye to my relatives specially my cousin Aris, who has Downs Syndrome. He is one of the sweetest people I know. He was crying when we left which made it even harder for me.

I will make an effort to visit more often and not wait another 17 years. My kids will want to come too since they told me they had fun too while we were there. I think it's the lizards.

We have been here in the Philippines for a week now. The last time I came home was in 1993. Now, it's a total culture shock. First, it's the climate. Temps range in the 80s but very very humid. In a matter of minutes, you feel your skin getting real sticky. I don't remember the streets being so narrow either. Tricycles are everywhere competing with the passenger jeeps and private cars. Not to mention the buses and trucks. Pedestrians cross every where with no fear for their lives. I am reminded of the game Frogger. You literally have to cross and run for your life.

I also can't help notice the clear division between the extreme rich and the poor.

I've had the chance to meet up with my best friend in College and my other best friend in high school. Both have really made something of their lives. One is studying for her Masters in Applied Math and the other, a well known pediatrician here in our province. I am so proud of them.

Tuesday, we will have dinner with friends in Elementary school. Being in a small town, they have kept in touch with each other and have remained friends.

I have done some knitting but not a lot. Understandable.

I will post pictures when I can.

Circles Cloth

Mint Green baby boy Cardi This is a pattern from Mary Rich Goodwin of One Piece knitting.




These two baby sweaters are the Concentric Circles Cardigan, a free pattern on Ravelry. The pink one is larger than the pattern calls for. I made adjustments myself. This one goes to my niece Ava in Virginia Beach.

This last one is the Bubble Frock, also from Ravelry, perfect for Ava's summer wear.

I haven't knitted for babies in years and this is a good change.

My mom's marker came in, after 3 months of waiting. Somehow, this picture makes me sad. My dad, myself and the kids went there, rags in hand and went to clean. Freshly put in, it had mud and stain all over. The good thing about it is we now can put flowers ( as seen on the center of the marble marker). It comes with its own flower vase.

You see, we had this cat and mouse game with the caretakers of the cemetery. They don't allow potted plants, glass vases or any other kind of vases, balloons, or any other kinds of decorations. Every Wednesday, they throw out all the dead flowers as well as stuff on top of the graves. They also mow the grass. Or they mow the grass on Thursday. So, my sister and I make sure that we remove all our vases by Tuesday night or all will be gone by the following morning.

One time, we forgot. And they took it all away, including the nice pinwheels and flags. They can't stop me, though. Joann's has a lot of nice affordable decors. And I say, they can't stop me, he, he.

Sutter's Fort
On one of our field trips to Sutter's Fort, this is what we saw-- spinning wheels, huge ones.


Sunbonnet Sam
One of Rachel's Knit Alongs. I believe they call this one Sunbonnet Sam. I am knitting Sunbonnet Sue and will post it soon.


Wooly Wormhead Knit ALong
Another cute beret from Wooly Wormhead as part of her Knit Along last year.

Rose
May's knit along for Mother's Day as part of the Monthly dishcloth KAL group.

Happy Mother's day to all the moms out there. I hope you get the pampering you need/want. You, I mean, we, all deserve it--lol!

Me, I just want a nice quiet time with my hubby and kids and my dad. We will go to the cemetery, bring some flowers, maybe a balloon or two, and release them heavenwards. Ahh, we still miss my mom. It has become a routine, every Sunday, after church to go visit my mom at the cemetery. If only the caretakers will stop throwing away the flowers and decorations we bring each week. That's another story.

My hubby and I have been experiencing a lot of frustration with his side of the family. His sisters have been fighting over their mom's jewelries and pictures and memorabilia she left behind. There's just a lot of stress and strife and back stabbing. We want no part of it but they're persistently trying to get my hubby involved. I wish they would leave us alone.

I think Sacramento is bypassing spring and going straight to summer. It's nice and warm here. I find myself hanging out more at the cemetery. It's funny because back home in the Philippines, people are scared of the cemetery. We're told stories of what goes on there at night, ghosts, and lots of scary stuff. Here in the US, cemeteries are so peaceful and quiet and hardly a soul around (pun intended).


This is the March dishcloth KAL from Kris Knits. It's so cute. I used Knitpicks organic cotton yarn.



This one is the Sunny Summer spa cloth from the latest issue of Creative Knitting magazine (May 2010). The holes scare me, I don't know why.





The rose bush above was planted by my mom a long time ago in our front yard. It blooms several times a year, non-stop. The white lilies (bottonm picture) is another story. You see, my mom had a green thumb. Everything she planted grew. These lilies were planted back in the late 90s, in our back yard, near this huge lemon tree. It came back year after year, no fail, but refused to flower.

Around Winter 2009, when my mom was sick, I dug them all out and transplanted them into the front yard. Some I put into pots but the rest, in the ground. My mom passed away this February and come April, the lilies started blooming. It had been a week and the blooms are still fresh as ever.

I've cut some of the roses and lilies and brought them to mom's grave. I know she would enjoy her flowers.

Come to think of it, two of the legacies she has passed down to me are the love of gardening and sewing. I might not be as good of a seamstress as she was but I can try and enjoy doing it.

A Reversible Cowl I knitted and designed. The yarn I used is my own handspun handpainted yarn from Merino Roving. I will write the pattern down and make this available for free. I just have to find my notes, arghh...




This is the Unscrunchable Scarf, a very easy pattern from the Miss Wooly Knits website. The yarn is one of Debra Norville's microfiber yarn sold at Joann's. Very soft and self striping too.




This one is the crocheted Tulip dishcloth found at the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain Blog. I love it!





The final 2 cloths are from Kris Knits blogsite. The upper snowman was the February cloth KAL and the bottom 2010 cloth was the January KAL. She has truly beautiful and easy to knit patterns, most are free and the for sale ones are very affordable, specially the cloth sets.

Thank you, Candace, for your comforting words. You don't know this but I look forward to your comments because you've gone through what I'm experiencing right now.

Easter service at our church was so timely. Not only that but Dr. Charles Stanley's preaching on TV answered so many of my and my husband's questions about heaven. I think God knows we have so many questions and doubts and somehow, used these godly Pastors to help us.

Back in 1998, I had a miscarriage and lost my baby during my first trimester. What comforted me then was knitting baby hats which I later donated to Newborns in Need. That was when I started knitting for the ones in need. Now, I find myself knitting these tiny baby hats again--lol! I plan on making a lot and maybe donate to a local hospital. I can make good use of my stash.

And, for my future projects, I plan on doing 3 things:

1. finish the memory quilt, in memory of my uncle who passed away last year.
2. design and make a quilt, in memory of my mom, and give it to my dad.
3. design something knitted, in memory of my mom, write the pattern, and donate all the proceeds for its sale to the American Cancer Society.

Sometimes, I don't want to write what I'm feeling, sharing it with people, on this blog. But what the heck, this is my blog. These past few days have been really hard. I mistakenly thought it was getting better, the sadness going away but it comes back.

My dad went back to the Philippines for a month to take care of stuff there. I am missing him too. I miss my mom as well. That is more fierce, more gut wrenching. There were nights when I couldn't breathe from the sadness. Although my Christian belief in a reunion someday in heaven is really strong, knowing that I won't see my mom ever again while I live is harder to take. I wonder how other people deal with their grief?

So, I play the Wii. Then, my back starts to hurt. We go play bowling and my back gets worse. Oh well. Even knitting can't hold my attention.

Knitting is therapeutic and it's helping. I've started knitting one of my lace shawls again, part of a Knit Along. It seems like ages ago when I started it. I don't know why but knitting lace is therapy--lol!


SPITZBERGEN is the name, designed by Monika Eckert and her website is HERE.

I've actually knitted more than this but I left my camera at home, so, no new pics.
The Kris Knits washcloth is finished. Finally!

How many days has it been? I've been dreaming about my mom these past 2 nights. My daughter asked me if that's how my mom "speaks" to us. She dreamt about her too.

I'm knitting this one cloth KAL sponsored by Kris Knits and for the life of me, I can't finish it. I'm a pretty fast knitter and one small cloth shouldn't faze me but this one's kicking my butt. I love Kris Knits' designs. Here is her website. She's doing a monthly knit along and they're all free.

We practically moved in to my dad's house. The kids love it. I am thankful that I have a very understanding husband.

Today, the grandkids took my dad to see Avatar in 3D. And he enjoyed himself. He hasn't seen a movie (in a theater) in such a long time. He was so amazed at the 3D thing. And they all shared a huge tub of popcorn. Hubby and I went grocery shopping.

It seems that life is gradually going back to normal. There are still moments when I burst into random tears. The kids and I have been hanging out in my mom and dad's bedroom. It gives us peace, like she's just close by.

I started knitting again. A washcloth this time. Slowly but surely.

Day 3 without mom. We are simply hanging in here, taking it a day at a time. That's all we can do. First viewing is on Friday and I am so not looking forward to it. First time I will see my mom. We are all missing her really bad, specially my dad. These past few days is like being in limbo. Anything can set us off into a crying session. My kids and I and hubby too have been staying with dad, just keeping him company. There are moments when I feel calm and not so sad. There are times when I still talk to my mom like she's just here.

Haven't touched any knitting. They say do something familiar but not yet.

My mom passed away and went to be with our Lord yesterday afternoon, Sunday, Feb 21st at 2:40 pm. No more pain, no more suffering.

At around 2:20 pm, same day, my mother-in-law suffered a massive heart attack, went into a comma and died. We lost 2 moms within 20 minutes of each other.

There are good days and there are bad days. My mom is still experiencing shortness of breath even with small movements, like walking to the bathroom and back. She's now using a wheelchair. Doctors say the the cancer is back and is now in her trachea. This causes her excessive coughing which then leads her to be out of breath. They have put her on oxygen as well which seems to help a lot. I go visit them everyday and I do most of the cooking. My dad does most of the helping. Sometimes, I can't bear to see her being out of breath. Sometimes, I just want to lie down and cry. But I can't let them see me cry, specially mom and dad. Sometimes, it's hard to be strong. Sometimes, I question God. My faith wavers and the doubts arise. Then, He shows me that He's there and that it will be okay. I think I'll go and have a good cry.

KAL

I finished this Girls' Night out sock Knit ALong sponsored by Knitters Brewing company and here are some pics:

Mom is sick and I am so worried. It's hard to write about it. Trying to get my mind on something else, trying to keep my faith strong because that's all I can fall back on. Trying to knit something and maybe finish up some stuff. Just so worried.

I was going to write something about this ugly cardigan sweater but I stopped . It's a knitting pattern by a well known designer. It's asymmetrical, meaning, it's not even. The right side front is longer than the left and the button is placed in such a way that it seems like you matched the wrong buttonhole with the wrong button, or vice versa. The neckline looks like somebody tried to rip it off your body. One sleeve is longer than the other.

It is a really unconventional and rather ugly looking sweater. I will not crochet it. I will not wear it. Well, it goes to say that if I don't make it, then I don't get to wear it, he he he. Anyway, I don't really know why the designer even designed it. what the heck for?

I have this picture in my head of me wearing the darn thing and seeing people pointing at me and laughing their butts off. Some are laughing so hard that they're rolling on the ground, tears streaming down their faces.

Let me know if you want to see it and I will email you the link, privately.

Some pics of inclement weather here in Sacramento:

One minute it was raining and the next, the sun came out followed a few minutes later, by a rainbow.

I now have 2 Gretels. The light pink one is going to Mica, my niece, in Canada.




Crocheted earflap hat and a crocheted beret, both going to Yolo Wool Mill. Yarns used were from the mill.

That's it for now. I'll have more later.

Here is the back view of the Leaflet scarf from Knitspot. I'm using Regia Silk sock yarn, very soft.



Here is to right side view. It's not mindless knitting because you really have to keep track of where you're at. I'm using the graph/chart.



This was going to be a plain beret but I decided to add a little bit of lace to break the monotony. The yarn is Patons Decor, a 70%/30% acrylic wool blend. Another blend I like knitting with is Lionbrand's Wool Ease.

In an effort to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, I am supporting p/hop. It stands for pennies per hour of pleasure. They have free patterns donated by generous knitters. Each time you download or knit one of these patterns, you can donate any amount of money which is then used to support Medecins Sans Frontieres, just like doctors without borders. The website can better explain it all. While there, be sure to visit the pattern page. Enjoy.

I am starting a new project (but of course) and I don't care that I still have others unfinished. I will finish them all but right now, I will be knitting THIS. I've been perusing her patterns, scarves, shawls, even socks, mostly lace and finally bought two of her patterns. On this first one, I will use TOFUTSIE. I know it's for socks but it's too soft and I want to use it for this scarf.

THIS is the other pattern I bought. I'll be posting photos as soon as I can.

Some finished items in 2009

This is the Just Enough Ruffles Scarf designed by Laura Chau of Cosmic Pluto Knits. Next time I knit this, I'll use a less scratchy yarn. It was unexpectd that this yarn turned out scratchy. It was by Naturallycaron.com yarn called COUNTRY (75% acrylic 25% merino).



The Feather Shawl by Hand Jive Knits. Darlene's patterns are charted (no written out instructions). Since I used to test knit for her, I am used to her charts but unfortunately, for a beginner, it might be a little confusing. Enlarging her charts will definitely help and I think there are better chart softwares out there that makes it a lot less confusing and more easy to decipher.



Here is the Damson shawl by Ysolda Teague. I am definitely a fan of her designs. Her patterns are written out and charted. The charts are very easy to read, even for a beginner. I own 2 of her booklets. The yarn I used is a handpainted Superwash Merino sock yarn I bought at Lambtown years ago and never used, until last year.


Finally, the Central Park Hoodie, from the Knitting Daily website. I am now joining the 6,000 or so knitters who have knitted this cardi. I'm finding it an easy knit, cables and all. But this will need major blocking or it will be a tight fit. I'm knitting the size 36" one and finding that it might be a bit snug. The next size is a 40" but I could have just added a few stitches more to each side. Oh well.

There are so many things I want to do, to knit, to learn. I want to take the kids to Hawaii. The 2 younger ones haven't been there yet. So, we are going in June.

I want to knit more sweaters. Since I've started knitting, I've probably knitted about 4 or 5 and I want to knit more. I will be knitting the Central Park Hoodie.

I want to learn American Sign Language. hmmm. I should enroll in a class or two at the local college. But first, I'm hunting for yarn from my stash to start knitting my hoodie.

I had this thought for a minute and immediately abandoned it. I know of knitters who keep track of everything they knit in a year. Quilters too. And people who sew ( I don't want to call them sewers, or maybe seamstress?). Anyhoo, they take pictures, keep track of dates started and dates finished, keep a diary maybe, a scrapbook of some sort, patterns used, type of yarn, needles, yada, yada, yada. You know what I mean.

Anyway, oooohhh, that would be wonderful and so organized! hmmmm.

I shudder at the thought. If I had to do that, I will not enjoy knitting anymore. I'd be so obsessed with keeping track of so many stuff that knitting won't be as fun.

Like I said, it entered my mind for a minute. No way, Jose.

I do believe that Jesus is the reason for the season.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

I am listening to books on tape! Books are downloaded from the local library onto my MP3 player. I can knit and work on the computer and listen at the same time. It makes me exercise too. Walking on the treadmill is no longer boring. today, I walked a mile while listening to Carl Hiaasen's "Scat".

Hiaasen is funny! The first book of his that I read was Nature Girl. Actually read it with my own two eyes. Then, Skinny Dip, on tape. Another author I like is Tess Gerritsen. She writes these mystery/suspense books about a female cop and a female coroner. She can sometimes get a little gory. Okay, a lot. I think she used to be a doctor before she started writing.

I wanted to be a doctor too until I started blacking out at the sight of blood. Oh well.

I have this aunt...

My dad came from a big family. He has 3 brothers and 4 sisters. One of the sisters is upset with me. My aunt, this aunt, is different. They all grew up in the Philippines (and so did I) and migrated to the US at different stages of their lives. Some came in the 60s, we came in the 80s, my aunt came just recently, about 4 or so years ago.

She is always helpful and I know she means well. But she has this habit of getting into other people's business without an ounce of tact. I cringe when she opens her mouth.

So, just recently, she mentions that she wants to stay and live with my parents. She mentions it to me and to my mom and dad and to several other people. I know I'm not imagining it. She has kids but I'm not sure if they want her with them or not ( I guess it's "or not").

My mom is getting stressed out over it, and I think my dad too. This is not something my mom needs right now. So, my sister and I emailed our cousins (her kids) and told them no way is that going to happen.

SO, my aunt is upset with me. I can handle that. Just don't stress out my mom and dad.

It is cold and dreary and cold. All the leaves have fallen and I haven't seen the sun in days. I'm posting this picture of our front yard taken one early summer morning, when the grass was still dewy and the sun just peaking from the rooftops.

I am going back to knitting and finish these mitts.

The socks I knitted as part of the KAL with Through the Loops, designed by Kirsten Kapur.

I joined a sock KAL sponsored by the Knitter's Brewing Co., starting Jan 15th. I ordered the sock kit, which happily comes with the first clue. This is what I knitted so far:




I like these kinds of KAL (knit along). I just finished one with Through the Loops.
And for the life of me, I can't post this picture. Something wrong with the mouse.

Today, my mom and I met with a new pulmonary specialist. She was wonderful. She did some tests, asked many questions, explained a lot and answered our questions. She has some options and is willing to work with us. Again, there are no definitive answers but we explained to her what we wanted, or hoped to accomplish. It's really simple. We want my mom to be able to breathe easier or achieve some kind of normalcy, cancer or no cancer. And most of all, this doctor was respectful. And she mentioned her own mom. There you go.

which makes me wonder: I wonder how jerk doctor treats his own mom?

Sometimes, I just hate doctors. You get good news and you get bad news. Take my mom's case. Dr. said no cancer. A few weeks later, there is cancer. One says chemo won't work. Now they say, chemo might work. My mom has a great throat doctor who has been with her since they discovered her thyroid cancer in 2000. Nine years later, they say the cancer is back.

Some doctors, good they may be, shouldn't be in that line of work at all if they can't be tactful or respectful enough of their patients. This one horrible pulmonologist at Kaiser So. Sacramento needs to be trained in dealing with patients. Or maybe he should just work in a lab in some basement or locked away somewhere where he doesn't have to deal with humans. What a jerk.

Oh yes, I'm spinning again. I am the type of person who has to work on several items at a time. I get bored easily. Working on one item and finishing it before I start a new one is NOT ME. I work on what makes me happy. So there.


My Louet spinning wheel, a real work horse. I don't have to worry that it might break, etc etc. My kids spin on this one.


This is 100 gms of Merino/Silk blend roving from Ashford. I'm spinning it fine, for a sport weight yarn. I could have gone for laceweight but I don't have enough patience.

As usual, I'm knitting several items at the same time. I have startitis, I know. But I finish some too. Here they are:


This is Mystery shawl Knit-Along, designed by Monika Eckert, a German designer. She designs in German with English translations, charted and very easy to follow. After clue #1, this is what we have. Clues 2 and 3 are forthcoming.




This is a finished item, a textured/lace sock designed by Kristen Kapur of Through the Loops blog.



This is one of my own designs which will be offered for free through this blog. I bought 100 gms of Merino roving from Handpaintedyarn.com. It was so soft and I spun it into singles since the yardage is very small. After setting the twist, I wound it into a ball and started knitting. Unfortunately, I didn't measure the yardage. So, here we go, with the unknown yardage cowl.

What do you do when somebody blasts you on their blog??

The first thing that happened was all the blood in my body rushed to my head.

I got angry.

Then, the doubts came. Did I really make those mistakes while writing a pattern?

Next thing, I pulled out some yarn, needles and feverishly started re-knitting said pattern. Well, I didn't find any mistakes. Plus, 14 other knitters have knitted my pattern and I didn't get any error-feedback.

So, what do you do?

I vented with my husband. Poor thing. He loves me, I know and is willing to put up with me.

Now, knowing that the pattern is fine, I'm moving on. But not after I wrote a comment on the perpetrator's, I mean, the knitter's blog. I was nice. I wasn't rude. Who knows. She might become one of my best friends yet.

This sock is missing a pair. For the life of me, I can't find the leftover half of the yarn I used to knit this one. And the yarn was handpainted by me. Impossible to duplicate. Oh well.

I finally finished the watermelon socks I started knitting about 2 years ago. I simply can't make myself to wear this one. I handpainted the yarn to make it stripe like this. It's a very tedious process, one I don't want to do again. In the past, I have received orders on this kind of yarn, orders that I was not able to fill. Maybe sometime in the future but I just can't force myself to do something I don't enjoy. Life is too short.

Yes, about time I posted.

I am still knitting. I recently visited Rumpelstiltskin in Sacramento. I haven't visited any yarn store in a long long time. Well, Joann's doesn't count. It was nice to reminisce about old times with Judy. Rumpels will always be one of my fave yarn stores. Linda was the very first person to buy my patterns and she still orders from me regularly.

There are so many different sock yarns now, all of them so soft. Too soft to use for socks, IMHO. I use them for shawlettes.

I might also go back to quilting. I just hope I can do them at the same time. I go in cycles.

My sister is in Germany and will bring me some sock yarns. Yumm.