My father died last year as the result of a car accident. He and my brother were delivering toys to Toys for Tots when the accident happened. At the time, they did not realize how badly he had been hurt. So they did finish delivering those toys. He collapsed later that night and never woke up.
Toys for Tots is way behind in collections this year. One of the family friends, has been contacting family friends and asking them to each buy a toy and donate a toy to Toys for Tots in my dad's name as a way of honoring his life. If anyone wants to do that, or even donate money to that cause, and even $1.00 would help, my dad's name was Otto Bang.
The website for Toys for Tots is:
http://www.toysfortots.org/
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
My latest top down hat.
I finished the hat on the bottom on November 21st. I did the siding of this hat with a k2, p2 ribbing all the way down. I used a wool blend sock weight yarn stranded with mercerized cotton crochet thread size 10. I used a size b (U.S.) crochet hook for the crochet part. I used size 5 U.S. needles to knit the ribbing.
I made the hat on the top about two months ago for my son. That one is basic stockinette stitch from the edge/top down to about the ears and k2, p2 ribbing for the last couple of inches. I used Lyon Brand Homespun yarn. The crochet part was made with a size H (U.S.) crochet hook and size 7 U.S. knitting needles.
Both hats start with crochet. The method requires two measurements. The first is the width of the head. The second is the length of the hat.
Materials required:
1 crochet hook
1 pair of circular knitting needles
enough yarn to make the hat (less than one skein usually)
1 safety pin or other stitch marker
Crochet instructions
Ch 2.
Rnd 1 - sc 4 x in 2nd ch from hook. put marker or safety pin in 4th st., sl st in 1st st. (4 st)
Rnd 2 - ch 1, sc in same st., sc 2x in next st., sc, sc 2x in last st., place marker in last st, sl st in 1st st of rnd. (6 st)
Rnd 3 - ch 1, sc 2x in same st, sc 2x in next 5 sts. place marker in last st., sl st in 1st st. (12 st)
Rnd 4 - ch 1, sc in same st. sc 2x in next st., *sc, sc 2x* 5x, move marker, sl st in 1st st (18 st)
Rnd 5 - ch 1, sc in same st, sc, sc 2x in next st, *sc in next 2 st, sc 2x* 5 x, move marker, sl st in 1st st. (24 st).
keep adding one sc to each round for each of the 6 sides until the hat is the width you measured. You should end up with a diameter slightly longer than 3x the width.
If you want to follow a crochet pattern to finish the hat, this will be the foundation row for the pattern you choose to follow.
To start knitting with crochet hook pull loop through each st as if to sc. do not complete the stitch. Transfer the stitches to the circular knitting needles. (I typically transfer 5 stitches at a time from the hook to the needles.)
This will be the foundation row for the knit part of the hat. Follow whatever pattern you like to finish the hat up.
@ Cathleen Bang Anderson 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Adverse reactions to medications
I have had to help my sister get medical care to deal with adverse reactions to medications twice in less than a month.
The more medications a person is on, the more likely an adverse reaction involving the interactions will occur. There are several steps we can all take to make sure we can deal with them appropriately.
* REMEMBER, YOUR DOCTOR IS NOT GOD!
Never allow a doctor to make more than one change in medications at a time.
* YOUR PHARMACIST IS YOUR FRIEND!
Always ask the pharmacist about reactions to watch for and have the pharmacist check for warnings about interactions. Try to only use one pharmacy if you can. If you have to use more than one, try to keep the number as low as possible.
* KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Carefully read the prescribing information that comes with the new medication. Keep a list of all medications you are currently taking. Keep that list up to date. Make notes of adverse reactions for future reference.
* YOU ARE THE EXPERT ON YOUR BODY
Be aware of what is happening whenever you do make a medication change. If something is happening after a medication change, and that lessens or goes away when you undo the change, then it is a reaction to the drug, whether or not it is listed on the prescribing medication. If a doctor tells you otherwise, you need to assert to that doctor that he or she is wrong, remind him or her that he or she is not god, and that he or she is not the expert on your body, your are. The doctor knows medicine, the doctor does not know you as well as you know you.
If you let any doctor tell you otherwise, you place your own life at risk.
The more medications a person is on, the more likely an adverse reaction involving the interactions will occur. There are several steps we can all take to make sure we can deal with them appropriately.
* REMEMBER, YOUR DOCTOR IS NOT GOD!
Never allow a doctor to make more than one change in medications at a time.
* YOUR PHARMACIST IS YOUR FRIEND!
Always ask the pharmacist about reactions to watch for and have the pharmacist check for warnings about interactions. Try to only use one pharmacy if you can. If you have to use more than one, try to keep the number as low as possible.
* KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Carefully read the prescribing information that comes with the new medication. Keep a list of all medications you are currently taking. Keep that list up to date. Make notes of adverse reactions for future reference.
* YOU ARE THE EXPERT ON YOUR BODY
Be aware of what is happening whenever you do make a medication change. If something is happening after a medication change, and that lessens or goes away when you undo the change, then it is a reaction to the drug, whether or not it is listed on the prescribing medication. If a doctor tells you otherwise, you need to assert to that doctor that he or she is wrong, remind him or her that he or she is not god, and that he or she is not the expert on your body, your are. The doctor knows medicine, the doctor does not know you as well as you know you.
If you let any doctor tell you otherwise, you place your own life at risk.
Friday, September 11, 2009
9-11 memories
This is the anniversary of the downing of the two World Trade towers.
One of the planes did not make the intended target because the brave passengers stopped them.
More than 3000 people died that day. Thousands more suffered permanent injuries and are still coping with those today. The economic, medical and emotional losses are still horrendous.
This is a good day to focus on how we can each take small steps to improve our own lives. Changes can be like ripples in a pond. Once change can influence others to make changes in their own lives.
Random acts of kindness can and often do make huge differences.
One of the planes did not make the intended target because the brave passengers stopped them.
More than 3000 people died that day. Thousands more suffered permanent injuries and are still coping with those today. The economic, medical and emotional losses are still horrendous.
This is a good day to focus on how we can each take small steps to improve our own lives. Changes can be like ripples in a pond. Once change can influence others to make changes in their own lives.
Random acts of kindness can and often do make huge differences.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Fibery Co-Op
Fibery Co-Op members are talented, resourceful folk, and many have products and goods available that will make your world of fiber far, far more fun and productive.
So, The Fibery Co-Op will offer a selection of goodies, a different Fluff 'N' Stuff collection, perhaps 6 times a year. The Fluff 'N' Stuff menu link to the left will lead you to the current collection's page, and, when the box is for sale, there will be a link there to the shopping cart.
All proceeds from the sale of Fluff 'N' Stuff Collections will be sent in the name of The Fibery Co-Op to Heiffer International to help families around the world achieve self-reliance through the gift of livestock and training.
If you want to be included in the next collection, contact
jackie@fibers.downinthecountry.com
So, The Fibery Co-Op will offer a selection of goodies, a different Fluff 'N' Stuff collection, perhaps 6 times a year. The Fluff 'N' Stuff menu link to the left will lead you to the current collection's page, and, when the box is for sale, there will be a link there to the shopping cart.
All proceeds from the sale of Fluff 'N' Stuff Collections will be sent in the name of The Fibery Co-Op to Heiffer International to help families around the world achieve self-reliance through the gift of livestock and training.
If you want to be included in the next collection, contact
jackie@fibers.downinthecountry.com
Saturday, August 29, 2009
The spoon theory.
http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf
The author does a really good job of demonstrating what it is like to live with disability.
The author does a really good job of demonstrating what it is like to live with disability.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
New lyrics for a hymn
My daughter belongs to Job's Daughters. They almost always close their meetings with the hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers".
I have always loved the music for this song. The words however, I find extremely offensive.So, keeping in mind that this is a girls group, is my first verse.
I do claim copyright in the words.
Forward faithful daughters, walking on towards peace.
To the future adventures, go we forth to live.
Parents, guardians, friends, hand in hand we go
Many different cultures, all as one in peace.
Forward faithful daughters, walking on towards peace.
To the future adventures, go we forth to live.
I have always loved the music for this song. The words however, I find extremely offensive.So, keeping in mind that this is a girls group, is my first verse.
I do claim copyright in the words.
Forward faithful daughters, walking on towards peace.
To the future adventures, go we forth to live.
Parents, guardians, friends, hand in hand we go
Many different cultures, all as one in peace.
Forward faithful daughters, walking on towards peace.
To the future adventures, go we forth to live.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Another cure for the deficit
I'm not the only person who has proposed this. I've been suggesting it since the 1980s.
Legalize and tax both prostitution and marijuana. I believe that would contribute towards solving a number of issues including state and federal deficits. Criminal gangs would have two fewer sources of income. Since prostitution would be regulated once legalized, it would likely help reduce human trafficking, abuse and spread of STDs.
Legalize and tax both prostitution and marijuana. I believe that would contribute towards solving a number of issues including state and federal deficits. Criminal gangs would have two fewer sources of income. Since prostitution would be regulated once legalized, it would likely help reduce human trafficking, abuse and spread of STDs.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Abuse of process
My brother in law filed for an order for protection against my sister last Thursday.
The affidavit he filed does not contain any actual lies in it. However, the statements he included were incomplete. The information he chose not to include provides a vastly different picture of the actual events. As a result, he obtained an order granting him custody of the 16 year old child and possession of the house.
My sister went in last Friday morning to file for an order for protection against my brother in law. My nephew went with her because there was no school that day. She got served with her soon to be ex spouse's order. My nephew informed the court that he was afraid of his father and would run away if he was forced to go stay with his father.
The court issued an order superceding the custody part of the first OFP but leaving everything else the same and granted the new order for protection. At the moment she has custody of the child and the dog, he has possession of the house.
This man is attempting to regain control that he has lost. He also froze the joint account. He then went and visited my sister's therapist. That therapist will no longer treat my sister.
We had another appearance on these OFPs yesterday. The man does not comprehend why my sister is now planning to divorce him.
The affidavit he filed does not contain any actual lies in it. However, the statements he included were incomplete. The information he chose not to include provides a vastly different picture of the actual events. As a result, he obtained an order granting him custody of the 16 year old child and possession of the house.
My sister went in last Friday morning to file for an order for protection against my brother in law. My nephew went with her because there was no school that day. She got served with her soon to be ex spouse's order. My nephew informed the court that he was afraid of his father and would run away if he was forced to go stay with his father.
The court issued an order superceding the custody part of the first OFP but leaving everything else the same and granted the new order for protection. At the moment she has custody of the child and the dog, he has possession of the house.
This man is attempting to regain control that he has lost. He also froze the joint account. He then went and visited my sister's therapist. That therapist will no longer treat my sister.
We had another appearance on these OFPs yesterday. The man does not comprehend why my sister is now planning to divorce him.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
International fiber collaborative: Tree project
http://www.internationalfibercollaborative.com/html/treeproject.html
The purpose of this project is to demonstrate interdependence. They are asking people to create leaves for this tree. The will be getting leaves from all over the world.
The purpose of this project is to demonstrate interdependence. They are asking people to create leaves for this tree. The will be getting leaves from all over the world.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Contributing
The economy only measures money. Our lives are much more than that. This Depression the world is going through is a good time to re-evaluate the parts of our lives that are so much more than what money measures.
There are many things we can do to help both ourselves and those around us get through these tough times. We all have useful skills. We are also very creative and inventive. Among other things, I knit and crochet. I donate much of what I make to various charities. I also donate yarn and other supplies to places that make things and teach crafting skills.
My family is still in a position where we can donate to food shelves. We do that a couple of times a year. Even when it is only an item or two, the donation helps. We will also donate toiletries, kleenex, paper towels and such. Even pets need food.
Get creative and help others. It will also make you feel better.
There are many things we can do to help both ourselves and those around us get through these tough times. We all have useful skills. We are also very creative and inventive. Among other things, I knit and crochet. I donate much of what I make to various charities. I also donate yarn and other supplies to places that make things and teach crafting skills.
My family is still in a position where we can donate to food shelves. We do that a couple of times a year. Even when it is only an item or two, the donation helps. We will also donate toiletries, kleenex, paper towels and such. Even pets need food.
Get creative and help others. It will also make you feel better.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Half moon shaped knitted shawl
I was doing some more destashing today and found a partially knitted one that I had put a hood on. It looks like I used the magic loop cast on for socks, but instead of doing it in the round, left one side open, knitted a hood and then started the increases to get the half moon shape when the hood was long enough. That is made using the Lyon Brand Homespun yarn. I'm working on finishing that up now.
Balancing Minnesota's budget
Start with Gov. Pawlenty and Lt. Gov. Molnau taking a 20 % pay cut.
Have the other constitutional officers take a 10% pay cut.
Have all of Pawlenty's "cabinet" level employees each take a 10 % pay cut.
All other managers take a 3 % pay cut. (That would affect my family income).
Eliminate all in house hr functions within each department and transfer those functions to the Dept. of Employee Relations (which is supposed to be the state hr office and I believed is supposed to be handling all of that anyways, so why are those functions still being staffed within other departments).
Eliminate jobs of people who shouldn't even be there like Lee Nelson. He was head of the unemployment appellate level at one point. That agency is responsible for evidentiary hearings, thousands of them each year. Nelson has little if any experience doing evidentiary hearings and was clearly not qualified to hold that position. So why was he appointed to it?
I'm sure there are lots of people in positions that they aren't qualified for or were created just to keep them employed using an unfair process.
Have the other constitutional officers take a 10% pay cut.
Have all of Pawlenty's "cabinet" level employees each take a 10 % pay cut.
All other managers take a 3 % pay cut. (That would affect my family income).
Eliminate all in house hr functions within each department and transfer those functions to the Dept. of Employee Relations (which is supposed to be the state hr office and I believed is supposed to be handling all of that anyways, so why are those functions still being staffed within other departments).
Eliminate jobs of people who shouldn't even be there like Lee Nelson. He was head of the unemployment appellate level at one point. That agency is responsible for evidentiary hearings, thousands of them each year. Nelson has little if any experience doing evidentiary hearings and was clearly not qualified to hold that position. So why was he appointed to it?
I'm sure there are lots of people in positions that they aren't qualified for or were created just to keep them employed using an unfair process.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Chase bank
For a bank that is taking public money, these people really know how to mess up thoroughly.
My husband got an overdue notice on his car payment yesterday. We did not get statements for either January or for this month. We looked at the bill for December. Turns out Chase has decided to go from monthly to quarterly statements. The notice was attached to the end of the last bill we did get and my husband did not see it. I have a feeling that lots and lots of other people also did not see that and are also now late on payments.
These people need to be more vigilant in getting this kind of change publicized. I tried calling them yesterday, was on hold for over half an hour before I finally gave up. I'm sure this mess up on the bank's part is costing it all kinds of money and this one was preventable. This really is not going to help Chase's financial picture.
My husband got an overdue notice on his car payment yesterday. We did not get statements for either January or for this month. We looked at the bill for December. Turns out Chase has decided to go from monthly to quarterly statements. The notice was attached to the end of the last bill we did get and my husband did not see it. I have a feeling that lots and lots of other people also did not see that and are also now late on payments.
These people need to be more vigilant in getting this kind of change publicized. I tried calling them yesterday, was on hold for over half an hour before I finally gave up. I'm sure this mess up on the bank's part is costing it all kinds of money and this one was preventable. This really is not going to help Chase's financial picture.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Coping skills
Coping skills are not easy to learn. The best training program I have seen so far is Marsh Linnehan's Dialectic Behavior Therapy Skills Training. Life gets complicated. Crises happen. Practicing coping skills before a crisis starts is the only way to successfuly manage one. Very few people are able to stop and think about what to do next in a crisis.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wall Street bonuses!?
I read about this in the newspaper this morning. These companies that are all going belly up, asking the government for help, shedding tens of thousands of jobs are paying huge bonuses.
Where the heck is that money coming from? Why are they not making the employees they are keeping feel some of the pain? That money could have been used to keep some of the unemployed people employed.
Those companies have no business paying any bonuses at all in times like these.
Where the heck is that money coming from? Why are they not making the employees they are keeping feel some of the pain? That money could have been used to keep some of the unemployed people employed.
Those companies have no business paying any bonuses at all in times like these.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Knit half moon shawl
I am drawing my inspiration from the pattern located here:
http://monstercrochet.blogspot.com/2008/03/free-pattern-knitted-half-round-shawl.html
I am going for a smaller shawl with a more gently rounded look. I did experiement with different numbers of stitches in the pattern row. I was not happy with what I ended up with.
Now I am experimenting with how often I repeat the increase row that is in this pattern. I am also experimenting with starting mine with 4 cast on stitches as opposed to 8 cast on stitches. I am following LadyLinoleum's pattern in one of the shawls I am making so I can compare. I doubt I will go to 320 stitches though. With my gauge and that size knitting needle, I would end up with a half diameter of between 80 and 100 inches.
http://monstercrochet.blogspot.com/2008/03/free-pattern-knitted-half-round-shawl.html
I am going for a smaller shawl with a more gently rounded look. I did experiement with different numbers of stitches in the pattern row. I was not happy with what I ended up with.
Now I am experimenting with how often I repeat the increase row that is in this pattern. I am also experimenting with starting mine with 4 cast on stitches as opposed to 8 cast on stitches. I am following LadyLinoleum's pattern in one of the shawls I am making so I can compare. I doubt I will go to 320 stitches though. With my gauge and that size knitting needle, I would end up with a half diameter of between 80 and 100 inches.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The truth about Giskard
Giskard continues to engage in outright lies and defamation of character. Since I am one of the people being defamed, I am taking this opportunity to defend myself.
I just took another look at his site.
His most recent quote about the AK forum users:
"Everybody is welcome to use this forum, including those who bear me no ill will from the AK forums but understand this, there is no middle ground, you use AKs forums, then you support and condone the theft of my data. Do not expect me (the Victim) to be too happy to see you whilst you use that forum. I will not ban you but I will not trust you either.
There are two out and out lies in this statement. First, no one stole anything from him. Second he is not a victim, he is a malicious manipulative perpetrator of fraud and abuse.
Giskard is claiming that files on TESNexus were transferred out of his account without his permission. This is a lie.
Giskard issued a very broad and ambiguous license that did allow for this transfer to happen. At the same time, this abusive man shut down his web site and announced that he was leaving the Oblivion Modding community for good, and then he pretended to leave.
The people who had been active on his old site were invited over to the AK forums to form a new community there. Giskard was included in the new forums. Giskard also knew about the files that were being transferred out of his account on TESNexus prior to the actual transfer. He knew about this transfer because he was reading and posting on the AK forums where this pending transfer was announced at the time it was announced. Giskard chose to let the transfer happen.
If he did not want that transfer to happen, why did he not stop it before it happened? He knew about it. He said nothing to anyone on the AK forum. He also said nothing to the people over at TESNexus.
I just took another look at his site.
His most recent quote about the AK forum users:
"Everybody is welcome to use this forum, including those who bear me no ill will from the AK forums but understand this, there is no middle ground, you use AKs forums, then you support and condone the theft of my data. Do not expect me (the Victim) to be too happy to see you whilst you use that forum. I will not ban you but I will not trust you either.
There are two out and out lies in this statement. First, no one stole anything from him. Second he is not a victim, he is a malicious manipulative perpetrator of fraud and abuse.
Giskard is claiming that files on TESNexus were transferred out of his account without his permission. This is a lie.
Giskard issued a very broad and ambiguous license that did allow for this transfer to happen. At the same time, this abusive man shut down his web site and announced that he was leaving the Oblivion Modding community for good, and then he pretended to leave.
The people who had been active on his old site were invited over to the AK forums to form a new community there. Giskard was included in the new forums. Giskard also knew about the files that were being transferred out of his account on TESNexus prior to the actual transfer. He knew about this transfer because he was reading and posting on the AK forums where this pending transfer was announced at the time it was announced. Giskard chose to let the transfer happen.
If he did not want that transfer to happen, why did he not stop it before it happened? He knew about it. He said nothing to anyone on the AK forum. He also said nothing to the people over at TESNexus.
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