A Sheep-Shearing Good Time

On Sunday we went to the Calgary Stampede: the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Since last year I've wanted to see the Sheep Shearing Competition - but last year I couldn't go because my thesis was behind schedule (or something like that). So we didn't go - but for the past year I've been talking about going this year. Was it worth the build up? Was it awesome? Yes and yes! Cory thought it was okay - he liked that I was so happy I suppose.



My only regret is that I didn't have my good camera with me - but it is always so crowded that Cory thought the small point and shoot was a better idea. I think next year I'll bring the faster camera because it was medium-low lighting and fast movements.



There were "official sheep shear-leaders" and a "shear-off" and piles of wool at the end of each shear-off. It. Was. Wonderful.

Wordless Wednesday: Reflection

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
18/06/2009

Some Days I Realize That I Should Have Just Stayed in Bed

Yesterday was one of those days. It started innocently enough - Ellie even let me sleep up to when the alarm went off... But from there it went downhill. I don't tend to blog about non-knitting problems but yesterday was too much to not tell.



I strongly suspect that I have Celiac Disease, and I've suspected/feared this for awhile. A few weeks ago I went to the doctor for a prescription renewal and some blood work. My symptoms were worsening but not too bad. Instead of my doctor I got a resident - which is fine, normally, I'm all for helping educate the doctors of tomorrow. I let interns come in during my appointments all the time. I didn't realize that my normal doctor wouldn't also be there but whatever - it was a prescription and me telling them that I needed a specific blood test, not difficult. She listened to my symptoms and family history (2 siblings diagnosed, 1 niece, 1 nephew, 1 cousin, 1 cousin's daughter - plus 1 niece with the appropriate DNA and 1 cousin's daughter with the appropriate DNA) and said that it was likely that I had Celiac Disease and that she wanted to check for that and some other things it could be - sounds good to me so far. And she said that given my symptoms and family history, if the test came back negative she recommended a biopsy - the blood test is usually accurate but just in case, the definitive diagnosis is a biopsy - sounds great to me. So I got the tests and waited for my annual (which is next week).



But the symptoms have gotten way worse - and I couldn't wait the extra week. Until I get the diagnosis I have to keep eating gluten. So I went to the walk in yesterday and found out that the resident FORGOT to order the CELIAC test! Sorry for the yelling but seriously! So the other doctor ordered the test and I got it done right away. I've had a copy of the results sent to a friend's sister (who is a doctor) so that I can get the results faster than from my regular doctor. I'm pretty stressed about the results - I want a Celiac diagnosis because if it is negative then the doctors start from scratch trying to figure out what is causing my symptoms. I'll let y'all know when I know.



So I went home early - I was feeling pretty sick, hopefully because I'd had gluten the day before. And then as I was flossing I popped out the filling I got last week! At which point I decided I should have stayed in bed. Today is going better so far :)

Spindle Acquisition

We interrupt your regularly scheduled posting (Wordless Wednesday) for an important announcement - the newest addition to my spindle collection arrived today - an Art Nouveau Filigree Golding RingSpindle! I decided that since I didn't buy myself an present when I finished my masters I was entitled, or cleared to purchase this beauty. Now when I want to buy another one I'll have to come up with another excuse. I blame my weakness on the Spindler's group on Ravelry.



And this is Ellie inspecting my spindle stash - the other spindles are a large Schacht spindle (2 3/4 oz), a smaller Schacht spindle (2 oz), a small unfinished (for now) Louet spindle (1 3/8) and a Tiger Mountain Cascade Spindle (less than 1/2 oz)


Now I have to go play with my new toy - but what to spin? I ordered some fiber from an Etsy seller (FiberOptic) but because it is coming from the states AND was ordered the day after the spindle - it hasn't gotten here yet.

Wordless Wednesday

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS
05/06/2009

Ten on Tuesday

10 things you'd bring on a deserted island

1. A spindle - likely my new golding one if it gets here before I'd have to go to the island
2. Fiber to use with the spindle - something natural in colour
3. A knife - a swiss army sort of thing so that I could make whatever size knitting needle I need - it would take awhile but how much is there to do on a deserted island?
4. A sewing kit - to darn the clothes I am wearing when stranded and to sew up the pieces of whatever I knit
5. My vitamins - they treat my depression and if I'm on a nice island, which is hopefully warm but not too hot I'd want to be happy
6. My computer - hopefully there is a way to charge it and some internet so I could get knitting patterns and could find books online.
7. Ellie - because so long as there are birds, with Ellie I wouldn't need TV as much
8. Zoie - because having only one of the cats would be trouble
9. Some way to make fire - like flint or something - and instructions on how to use the stuff
10. A mattress - i like my sleep

What about you?

First Handspun

JessaLu (yep, I'm stealing another post idea from her) posted an image on her blog of her first handspun and the spinning that she is most proud of. I have the former but not the latter - I'm still very new at the spinning thing. But without further delay, my first handspun (though this picture only shows one skein I'm pretty sure there was more - and that I have left overs at home).



And what I made out of it



In other news, thanks to the Spindlers forum on Ravelry, I've purchased a Golding Spindle which I'll share once I get it (naturally I bought some fiber on Etsy so that I have more choices of what to spin when the spindle gets here).

We also finished the last of the flooring this weekend. Cory has a new thing that he doesn't like doing - now right up there with removing wallpaper is putting a toilet back on. All I can say is thank goodness my dad was here to supervise and give recommendations of what to change/fix when the water tank was leaking.