Can't Sleep

Ever have those nights where you just can't fall to sleep.  Tonight would be one and so I found my old blog.  Updated my read book's list and my knitting to do list.

We are having an amazing winter this year, so unlike last.  Everyone reminds me that we have a long way to go but so far am so grateful for the mild temperatures and lack of snow.

Went to the Las Vegas Gift Market, was amazing.  A lot of new ideas for the healthcare gift shop.

Knitting and Reading

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I am trying to get motivated to do more knitting, it is a struggle.  I don't want to be working on the same project month after month.  There is supposed to be progress, right? :)

This month I needed success in getting something, anything finished.  To that end I knit two Top This Hat.  These were quick easy knits.  The black and white was a toddler size and the pink is a small adult.  These were fun little knits and satisfied my need to finally get something done.

These were knit on size 9-16 inch circular and then double point needles.  

Circular Needles:  Yarnology Brand purchased at Hobby Lobby

Double Point:  Crystal Palace Bamboo Needles.

The current project I am working on is a baby blanket for a boy that is going to be born way sooner than I am ready for him to be here, but time does not wait for knitters to finish their projects so I need to kick it in gear.  

It is a gradient Blanket. 

Yarn:  Feza Hand-dyed Baby Yarn purchased from Yarnology in Winona, MN

Needles:  Addi Turbo Lace, Size US 3, 24 inch.

I love the look on this blanket but I can't say I love the yarn. It is not a tight ply so is very difficult not to have the threads split.  I was going back and fixing all the split yarn but decided unless it was really noticeable to just fore go this, it was just taking far too long.  When you have a yarn that splits as much as this one did you have to have extremely sharp needles like lace needles.

As for reading I am currently reading A Higher Loyalty by James Comey.  I am keeping an open mind, trying to evaluate what he is putting down in context of how our government should perform and reality. 

The other book I am trying to finish but am having a little difficulty because it just hasn't grabbed me like some other books do is The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George.  I know it has been a bestseller in other countries for quite some time,  I want to finish as I am over halfway done.  The struggle is real with this book.  Amazon has it at a price that is really inexpensive.  

Two Amazing Books

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It has been a while since I have read an amazing book and lately I have read two of them, back to back, highly unusual and it's not that I'm that picky of a reader. The first book is:



This is a story about a dysfunctional family and how they come out on the other side and survive.  A great weekend read because you will stay up way to late during the week trying to find out what happens next.  The way the story is written made me empathize with the characters.

The other book that was pretty amazing is:



This is another weekend book because you can't put it down.  I thought the twists and turns were done but no, one right at the end.

If you love reading these books are excellent.  Both would also be excellent for book clubs.

E-Bay

Good week selling on E-Bay.  Sold 8 items for a total of $231.44.  Love getting rid of items and making a little extra cash.  Super excited.  Now to get it all boxed up and mailed.  Will be listing about 32 items tomorrow.  E-bay lets you list up to 50 per month with no listing fee. 

Continuing on my path of minimalism.  My goal is more the process than the destination.  I want to continue to declutter, organize what is left, only have what I love, need and use.  It may take forever to get the point where I feel comfortable with what I have but that is okay too. 

Orchids

I am a huge lover of orchids, not that I live in the right climate, or that I have a lot of variety of orchids available.  For the longest time I would purchase them at various places, Wal-Mart or grocery store, with blooms, the blooms would fall off and then.....nothing.  That has all changed I am excited to say.  Apparently when it got really cold here, -40 type cold, the orchids went dormant and now are reblooming.  Super excited.  I need to do a little more research as I am keeping them by a window which gets the afternoon light but is still a little chilly.  When we went to Key West this past summer orchids were perched in the trees which was amazing. 

Another plant  has three shoots with buds on it so that one will be loaded.

Waiting for spring, getting seed and flower catalogs in the mail which makes you yearn for warmth and color.  Soon, I keep telling myself.

Knitting on a baby blanket.  My niece is having a little boy so I hope to get this done before he goes to college.  Should be able to it is an easy enough knit.  Will show a picture when it is done.

Again

Too funny I have found this blog and was able to sign on again.  Miracle.

Light snow today, going to a funeral of a friend's mother.  Sad time.

Listed 12 items this weekend on E-Bay, will continue to post more this afternoon.  Too much stuff to contend with, time to move it out. 

Changes

So a lot has changed since the times I last wrote.  I found this blog by chance, forgot I had ever started it.  Our little city of 1500 has grown to about 15,000.  With the price of oil I know people are getting laid off but there still seems to be an influx of new people, people looking for a chance to have a better life from wherever they have come from.

Currently in our town we are building a new jail, new high school, new event center, new hospital and nursing home, probably a new middle school, countless apartment complexes, town homes and single family homes in addition to the roads being torn up every which way you try to get out of town.  Maybe with the slowdown we as a community will be able to catch up, catch our breath.

This weekend we are taking the bike that the husband bought me from Overstock to a bike shop to get fixed.  I should have read the reviews on the bike, they were horrible for good reason.  The bike is really a cute bike but to put it together is nearly impossible without an expert.  To start it did not come with directions for the specific bike, just general instructions.  The husband thinks they sent the wrong front tire too.  Son #2's bike needs to be fixed so we are taking that too.  In addition, we are going to donate about 15 boxes of stuff I went through.  Was going to have a yard sale but way too much work.  There are so many other things to do that I have decided to fore go it this year.

Beautiful evening, slight breeze, in the mid 70s.

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.

New Years Blizzard 2011

After spending about 5 months in CT, enjoying Christmas with the new baby and his family in Florida, dropping our oldest son off in Duluth, MN we are stuck in Moorhead, MN in a blizzard. This is the 2nd night we have had to stay over and probably will tomorrow also as I-94 will probably be closed. We are supposed to get about 12 inches of snow and winds at 35 miles per hour. The wind chill is in the -20s to -30s.  Brutal.  If we could drive for about 1.5 hours on 94 we would drive out of the storm but no such luck.  Florida continues to look better all the time. At least the first night we were stuck in Walker, MN at a casino, although it did cost me some money it was still fun. You would certainly pack differently if you knew you were going to get hung up for a couple of days in a hotel.  Thanks goodness I have my knitting with me.

Working on my knitting goals for this year but need to get home to finalize them and then will post.

Danielle and John are with me, moving to ND and she hates cold weather. We'll see how long this lasts. Hopefully a good long time so she can get a productive life going.

They're gone

I'm sad.

Getting Done

I found a really easy, plain, uncomplicated, non fussy hat for my son Chris for Christmas. He doesn't like cables, bumps, decorations, colors, patterns, etc. Just plain. The most boring kid to knit for, but at least it makes for quick knitting.

The color is black, although the picture looks charcoal gray. I am playing with a new camera and haven't gotten it all figured out yet.  Unfortunately I think it may be too big on him but we'll see. He will appreciate the gesture even if it is too big. I have plenty more yarn so can scale it back, or I was thinking on the next hat of adding an inch of K2P2 ribbing to make it a little tighter. I'm not convinced that would look the best but may try knitting a sample.

Yarn:  Galway Worsted (Purchased at Black Sheep Yarn, Kent, CT)
Needles: Size 8, 16 inch circulars, Clover
               Size 8, double point, Susan Bates
Pattern: The Boyfriend Hat

It rained and poured today, cats and dogs. At this point at least it is not snow. Actually all of our beautiful snow is gone.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

What an eventful week. New grandson is home and doing well, as is mama.  Tina said he sleeps more during the daytime than at night, so we'll see how that goes.

We are having a horribly rainy day which we are hoping beyond belief will not turn into any of the snow the Midwest has gotten. Mom, you guys can keep it. I have traveling coming up!!

Spent about 4 hours last night knitting Chris a hat for Christmas, about 2/3rds done.  When finished I will take a picture with my new handy dandy Canon. It has been fun trying the different settings and learning what to do. Still would love to take a class and get better.

Finally It Looks Like Christmas

Finally, finally, finally we got some snow.

I love New England stone fences.

I love how the house looks all decorated with snow.  The tracks in the driveway are mine, I shoveled the whole darn thing.  Took two hours. Who needs the gym? It is snowing again tonight so tomorrow may be a repeat.

Our lane in the quiet of the morning when the sun was trying to rise.

Okay, last picture.... (of snow)

Lots of hungry little birds. I had already scared some away unfortunately.

Finally finished one of Alex's gifts (Tina's unborn)

Kind of silly but I had fun with it. The mitten pattern was actually from a WorkBasket magazine from the 1960s.  Since they are in Florida I made this out of sock yarn so it wouldn't be too warm.  The baby sleeper has 3 buttons sewn on but I need to go back to JoAnn's and get more of the bigger buttons. I made the buttonholes to large so rather than sew them partly shut I just decided to use bigger buttons. It looks cute.

Danielle is winding down school, two weeks left. She will then have to take a class starting at the end of January, on-line, and will receive her diploma in May. I am so pleased she decided to do this.  AJ, her husband, is coming on Thursday and they are all leaving a week from Friday to spend the holidays in North Carolina.  Then I have to clean like a crazy person to get the house ready.