Sick

Yahoo, I'm sick again. I think I have the flu. Going to bed. Good night.

Sam gets his wisdom teeth out tomorrow. We have to go.

L

Blizzard and E-Bay

We are in the midst of a blizzard today. It is 19 degrees but the wind is so strong it is blowing sideways. I've already shoveled the porch step twice otherwise we won't be able to get out the door. Not much else is happening around here. Dentist appointments this morning for three of us, trying to get everything done this month before insurance runs out.

Sold a book on E-Bay, yeah, so will update the side when I actually get paid.

Woodworking

Sam ordered a lathe about 5 days ago and it finally got here. He doesn't know it yet as he is working. I went to bring it in the house as UPS only puts it on the steps. It's so heavy I can't lift it so it is going to get snowed on (actually I'll put a bag over it).  The weather is beautiful today but is snowing, the weather yesterday was nasty but no snow. I guess we can't have it both ways. When we were talking the other night he was lamenting the fact that he wished he would have spent more time with my dad working on the lathe. You try to tell them when they are teenagers but they seem to know everything and are too busy for the things that really matter.

Finished the book Rescue last night, it was pretty good, not fantastic.  Listed it on e-bay this morning.  Next book to read is The Inner Circle by Brad Meltzer.

Tomorrow I am supposed to be paid, we'll see if that happens. They hold our checks until we have turned in all our equipment. I sent mine last Friday, they definitely should have it by now.

Yesterday I finished a sock and started the second one. Pictures will come later when they are both done.

I ordered The Tasha Tudor Cookbook, received it this week and made pancakes this morning. The kids loved them. There are many great recipes so it will be fun to experiment with them.

Yarn Along and Book

This week I'm joining Ginny for her weekly Yarn Along in the hope of keeping myself motivated.  I am really trying to finish up some UFOs before starting new projects but at the same time trying not to buy a whole lot of yarn as I have so much, too much.

Last night I finished a quickie washcloth. Today I hope to finish the toes on this sock (generic pattern) and start the 2nd one. The sock will either be for Dan or for a Christmas present.  Rescue so far as been a great book, will finish tonight and then list on E-bay.  Finally I am finally to the point of getting rid of books right after I'm done with them rather than shelving them.  Plus getting a little money back to buy another book is always nice.

Washcloth:
Yarn:  Cotton Ease; Color: Maize
Needles:  Fiddle head Glass Needles; Size 6

The coordinator of our department called today. It took all I had to be civil to her.  I guess I am still a little miffed.

Fruit salad and a hat

I have been watching the Wiggles for a while today. If any one you have watched it is a kids program kind of like Barney except they dance and sing a lot. I honest didn't know you could make up a song about fruit salad.  I think I will need a sanity weekend pretty soon.

Finished Chris' second hat, first one was too short so I made this one about 1.5 inches longer. The yarn should have been a little thicker but hopefully it will help keep him warm. He is going to send the first one back as it fits Sam perfectly.

I love this pattern: The Boyfriend Hat.
Needles: Susan Bates Size 8 double point and Clover Size 8-16" circulars
Yarn: Lisa Cruse sells this yarn.

Yes the flakes on the hat is snow, non dandruff, again. At least it makes everything look clean again.

John is definitely enjoying winter. When he has to come in he is definitely not happy.

He was intent on eating snow this day. It was clean, we double checked!

Long Term Project

We all have those projects that take time, not that they have to but because you have procrastinated to the point that years go by, although you really still want to get it done. My project like that is:

I actually started this when I was pregnant with my oldest son. He was born in 1986 so obviously a while ago.  There is a lot done but I just need to finish it.  Unfortunately in one of the angels there is a rust spot which also shows up lighter in another spot. If anyone has ideas how to get it out without bleaching the embroidery thread I would appreciate it.

The above are the four parts of the design that are completely done, even though the last picture isn't complete in the picture, it is now. I love doing embroidery, it is inexpensive and portable.

Went to the freezer today in the garage and a little bunny seems to have taken up residence. Since it is so nice I left the door open, maybe he will find another place to live, or he will bring in the rest of his family, I guess it is a crap shoot what he, the bunny, decides to do.  Hopefully he goes to live somewhere else. As cold as it has been here I certainly don't blame him for moving into warmer habitat.

I'm done

I am officially done with my job. The computer equipment has been sent back. All expenses have been submitted for reimbursement.  Losing a job like this really drives home the be prepared mindset, be debt-free, have money in savings, have a pantry with food in it, look at the stuff you have and see if you can sell some stuff and ask yourself why you bought it in the first place.

I have a to do list for this week with 22 entries. So far this afternoon I finished 8. If I don't have a list I will putz the whole week away.

Tonight I'll finish a scarf I had to reknit. It was done but apparently I had dropped a stitch about 1/3 of the way from the end. The yarn is beautiful.

Needles: Susan Bates Size 9 (Plastic)
Yarn:  Universal Yarn Spice Berry (2 skeins)
Purchased at: Black Sheep Yarn, Kent, CT
Pattern:  K2, (YO, K2T) x 9, K2

We are definitely enjoying the nice weather for a couple of days, low to mid 30s. There is a little of dripping going on, off the roof, off the cars, puddles everywhere. It is great. So much better than -30.

Unemployed

Welcome to 2011. Although I am still in my sarcastic state of mind about having my job outsourced it really is okay. Living in North Dakota has the benefit of having jobs available, many jobs. I find it ironic that employers think you are going to be fantastically eager to go work for the company that is helping to eliminate your job, especially when they pay 1/2, you heard right, 1/2 of what you are currently making. I think it is time to look for a different career, maybe go back to school, we'll see. I knew it was coming, gut instinct, so am really not surprised. Truly thought I would be more upset and angry. Honestly my thoughts are with my coworkers who do not have the options North Dakota brings.  Florida and Georgia are not great states to be looking for a job. The biggest hassle is insurance. Insurance runs through the end of the month so baby it is time to get it done. Meds filled, teeth cleaned, any dental work done, eyes checked, new glasses  or contacts, no problem it is covered.

Danielle got his wisdom teeth pulled today and is doing well. She is a little swollen and groggy from the "good meds".

The rest of the week is supposed to be beautiful in the 30s. We deserve it after having -30, -40, etc for about a week. It is brutal.  This has already been a really hard winter and the typically hardest months are still to come.

One more day of work and I'm done. My typical way of coping is to make plans on what I want to get done shortly after the change. The list is made and we'll see what develops. I may have the cleanest house in town. Actually with a 2 year old in the house I'm sure that is not going to be the case! Maybe I'll even get some knitting done.