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.

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.

Treasure Finds #3

Here are some of the highlights from the 3rd box from the estate sale. One more box and a big garbage bag full of stuff to go through yet.

I'm thinking I will probably finish up these 5 (the fabric is folded) dolls and donate them, but will sew with the sewing machine. The one doll that is stitched together on the right is hand done. Easier on the machine.

I don't know what kind of fabric this is but it is heavy (thick) and shiny. Beautiful blue color. There is may be 1 to 1.5 yards, a piece has been cut out so truly not a full 1.5 yards.

I love old fabrics, will have to check if it is reproduction or truly older. It feels different than the reproduction fabrics I already have so am hoping it is old. On the blue jean looking fabric the red flowers are raised.

Now I know we all keep an old hand forged nail in our fabric so here is the one I found, all rusty and neat.

Miscellaneous bigger pieces of fabrics.

Triangles, small squares, bigger squares already cut out and ready to be sewn back together and quilted. This winter I'll probably separate the difference sizes. Some of the fabric is really nice and some of it isn't. All personal preference, I'm sure he thought it was fantastic (the gentleman in the family was the quilter).

We are supposed to be getting snow on Thursday. It will be fun to see John out playing it in. I have a feeling he is going to love it.  It is definitely getting a chill in the air so this weekend we are preparing, turning off hose water, finishing stacking the wood, double checking that all the windows are fastened, moving the patio furniture undercover, etc.

Rhinebeck

Had a great time at the New York Sheep and Wool Festival this year (Rhinebeck).  Worked on Saturday with a friend and went back on Sunday to view the booths and animals.

I love this one. How in the world can he see.

It was lunch time, so hay in the hair.  

There faces are so soft. This one let me pet him.

I tell you they are so cute, I want one as a pet.

Taking a walk through the crowd.

Now onto the treasures.

This is really pretty yarn, the picture stinks. It is white with blue shades and silver metallic thread running through it. These socks are for me.  Ice Bear Holiday Yarns

Again, picture not great but I have wanted this kit for the longest time. Again, these socks are for me.

Kitri Check it out here much better picture. The beading on the black is what I really like.

You can never have too many sheep coffee mugs.

and finally,

These are glass needles, they are beautiful. I saw them 3 years ago and really wanted a pair then. I love the fiddlehead on the end. They are a dream to knit with.  Knitting Needle Company Super nice people also.

That is enough to show. I promised mom I wouldn't go overboard, so what she doesn't know about is probably a good thing.

Anyway had a good time, hopefully it won't be my last. In two weeks is Stitches East in Hartford, another big shopping event for which I "need" nothing. Next weekend Danielle, John and I are going to the CT Renaissance Faire. Hope we have great weather, it is kind of it and miss lately. Today was beautiful and was in the 70s, perfect day to be walking around the fair grounds. I think the next weekend we will just crash. We have wood to clean up from a tree we had cut down, yard to mow, the house needs cleaning, etc, but the running around is so much more tempting.

The one good thing about events like this is the motivation to start all kinds of new projects. Actually I'm not quite so sure if that is good or not, for me it is all good.

What do you do when you are sad/anxious/stressed

Apparently I bake. We had graduate recognition this morning in church and I kind of lost it. They had the kids come up individually and have a slide presentation with baby pictures through graduation.  At this point I weep a little and soon my friend behind me is sniffling and then I start weeping more, my friend in front starts wiping her eyes and we are all soon a mess. After all the kids were done whoever wanted to go in front of the church and pray surrounding the kids went up and we all have a group hug and cry. The kids were probably thinking we were nuts but that's fine, they are supposed to think we have lost it a little. Don't get me wrong I am excited that he is moving on, it is how it is supposed to be, but with Sam it is the end of so many things since he is the last.  Anyway it is obvious I need a nap as I'm still kind of weepy but instead made rhubarb cake, rhubarb blueberry muffins and beer bread. The beer bread is for supper tonight with chili.

Rhubarb cake:

Rhubarb/blueberry muffins:

Yes there are only 10 as I ate two when they were hot and steamy with a cold glass of milk. They are really good.

Bread is still in the oven so no pictures. The recipe for the bread I got from the comment section of Enjoying the Small Things (one of my favorite blogs).  Smitten Kitchen is another really great cooking blog. She has a book coming out, so will have to pick that up.

We had cold rainy day yesterday and today is absolutely beautiful, sunny, warm, breezy.  Finished planting the garden yesterday. In total we have 5 rows of radishes, 5 rows of peas, 5 rows of green beans, 5 rows of yellow beans, 6 tomato plants, sage, parsley, rosemary, 3 hills of zucchini, 2 hills of watermelon, and a ton of sunflowers.  This morning I noticed the radishes are up, can't wait for radish sandwiches - yum. Now the great struggle begins as to who will win, me or the weeds. I'll let you know how it goes.

What happened to my spring?

It is so cold and rainy today it feels like it could snow I didn't mean to swear- sorry.  It is only, okay it says it 57 degrees, but it feels like the low 40s. It is cloudy, rainy and I have double layers of clothing on.

Thursday went to a card making party, the companionship is the best part but the card making is fun too.

We are going to take the summer off from making cards so will start to go to quilting again on Thursdays.

Don't know much else. Will probably iron Dan's shirts today and keep cleaning. Mom is coming for Sam's graduation so need to tidy up a bit.

Bought plants last night, 5 tomato, rosemary, and parsley. The sage plant survived the winter so I will dry herbs again this fall. I still need a chive plant and then I'm pretty much done.

Finishing

It always feels so good to finish something, doesn't really matter what but after you have put in time, it is nice to be done. If you are a list person you understand. I have a daily list, a monthly list, a yearly list and list to be done by the time I'm 50 (which is coming fast). Some lists have the same things on them so it is a double or triple cross-off, those are great.  Just crossing it off gives you a feeling of accomplishment.

I am done with school. My last grade posted for Composition and it was an A, so my GPA is a 4.0 and has been for a while. This really makes me feel good. This is a 3 list accomplishment, month, year, and 50. I have also finished weaving my second scarf, (pictures tonight, right now it had a bath and needs to dry) and I really like it. There is still work to do be done to be more consistent on the edges but I'm getting better. This is on the month and year list.  Also I finished and dishcloth that was on the monthly list.  My sock is coming right along, I am working on the heel although I seriously doubt I will get it done this weekend.

Tonight Dan is staying in Bismarck after a meeting in Fargo. He is tired. Sam is going to work. One of the banks in town is have a 100th anniversary. I need to make an appearance, besides it will be a good time.

Last night I went to quilting for the first time in probably a year, it was fun. It is nice to just pick up as if you never had left the group. Also was talking to a friend who lives two doors down from quilting and she is pregnant, third child. So now Tina is due December 1st, minister's wife (Kate)  around Thanksgiving, and Sandy is due beginning of November. Knitting baby stuff is fun so I'm happy.

The weather is perfect, mid 70s, sunny, slight breeze. Honestly could not be better.

Have a great weekend.

Hat done

John's hat is done and turned out pretty cute. Hopefully he will still have time to wear it.

I need a baby to try things on, a lamp just isn't the same. This little one would do, she is gorgeous (go to January 7th entry).

Finished shopping for Audrey and John's Easter baskets, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, trucks, Zuzu pets, jelly beans. I miss my kids being little, I want a do over.

Today was beautiful, warm, sunny, water running and dripping everywhere. It is wonderful.

This weekend will be full of studying, writing papers, ironing work shirts, laundry and cleaning. Only about 7 weeks left.

Snow and weaving

Quick short post before work. It snowed all day yesterday and is snowing this morning - errr.

Will post some pictures of weaving tonight. This past weekend was absolutely fabulous. The weaving class was great, thanks Theresa, it was fun to see Mom, Paul, Kris and Mira and have supper. The Rowan 30th anniversary was really cool (unfortunately forgot my camera) and the Textile Center is wonderful. I think I am going to have to join the MN Weaver's Guild. They have weekend classes for learning how to use floor looms and I'm sure they have classes for 4-heddle looms. I'm hooked. The weekend Yarnover is in the cities they (the Textile Center) is having their garage sale. Several of the people in my weaving class said that it is a really fun event.

Anyway got to go, time to get coffee running through my veins so I quit yawning and turn on the work computer. Hope you have a great day.

Thursday, 02/18/2010

Well I didn't read my chapter in Nutrition last night so that is a must do tonight. I also didn't go to the grocery store today, didn't feel like it. It looks like snow for tonight. We really don't need it but I don't know what that ever made a difference.  See below.

Yes we have dug out the car but we have several feet of snow, that is why we don't need more! The big drift on the left actually is our stairs going into the house so we obviously had to dig out. This was over Christmas when Chris was here, the weather was wild, very windy.

Last month I finished these for a Christmas gift.

The third picture is of the sock blocker I got for Christmas from Dan. It is from signature needles.  At some point I want to try their needles but they are really expensive, but beautiful.

Specs:  Pattern: Monkey Socks by Cookie A (free pattern on Ravelry but you can find it also at Knitty. Cookie A has a fabulous new book called Sock Innovation that I want to try to knit through.
Needles: Size 2 metal double point I got at Hobby Lobby on clearance :)
Yarn: Sock-Ease from Hobby Lobby. Usually $9.99 but used a 40% coupon.
Color: #201 This yarn actually is really nice, especially for the price.

These were fun to knit and easy to remember the pattern.  I have already started on another pair from her book and it will be the same way, easy to remember.

UPDATE:
Dan called he is in Denver and it is snowing. He can't wait to get to Phoenix, is 80 degrees.

Productive night so far. Listed 12 books on Amazon (Chris really likes using them, we'll see how it goes) and one book on E-bay. Usually I list on Saturday but wanted to just get it done while I was at it. To reach my goal for this month I need to get $43 in miscellaneous income yet this month and I'm running out of time so decided to list these real quick.

Try again

Okay after pressure from Mom and Tina I am here again.

The weather has been absolutely beautiful, in the 70s but very windy. I hung laundry out today (only 1 load) and had to put extra clips on to keep it on the line.  The stuff was dry in about 10 minutes.  It was actually so windy that we lost power for about an hour. Through this whole terrible (snowy and cold) winter that we had, we never lost power. Quite a comparison to CT when we were losing power all the time and those lines were even buried.

The quilt show in Duluth is coming up in early June which should be a good time. Haven't signed up yet and need to by the 10th or you have to wait in line to register. Still not sure if I want to take any classes or just go, look at the marketplace, buy a few trinkets, and just relax. I feel like there is enough on my plate without trying to add quilting.  There is also a fantastic yarn shop in Duluth where I can get some hemp to make string bags for the farmer's market.

Will try to get some pictures up tomorrow of some knitting, see if I can remember how to do it since its been a while.  Dan bought a pot of bulbs that we have transplanted and they are starting to bloom. The flowers in the front are purple (don't know what they are but mom will) and the tulips in the back I don't know about yet but I'm sure it will be pretty.

There is a gentleman in town who is going to come and till up the garden space tomorrow. I can't wait. Sam said he is going to help so we'll see how long the enthusiasm lasts. We will be about doubling the size of the garden and doing some companion planting to take advantage of space. 

Sam has 11 days of school left and is so ready to be done. He counts down every morning.

Love to all,

Leslie

The Good/The Bad

The good is that I made my 50,000 steps last week with no problem and have a good portion already started for this week. This week starts a new program at the Fitness Center that I have signed up for, it is a point system based on weight loss (if you choose), and time exercising. Should be fun and also a little more motivation. This is Good.

Finished a few more goals this week #2 (Reading two books) and #4 (Paying off Citibank) is done. They are the easy ones. The knitting and quilting ones are easy, just take much more time, but they are getting worked on. This is also Good.

This weekend Sam's wrestling tournament was canceled. The weather here, although nice and much warmer in the mid 30s, is so windy. There are no hills or a lot of trees to block the blowing snow so it drifts horrendously. We ended up staying in Bismarck last night because the roads were closed off. Today on the way home there were 10 cars in the ditch, one upside down. At times we were driving on sheets of ice, kind of scary. There was a high school basketball tourniquet in Bismarck also on Saturday and none of the kids could get home so they were at all the hotels. Finally at 12:30 Dan called down and asked them to do something about the girls, giggling, screaming and running up and down the halls, we were wiped out. This was not so Good.

The reason we went to Bismarck was to go shopping as Dan was a little stir crazy. Was a great weekend to go. Old Navy had 50% off their 50% off merchandise. I got 3 shirts for $2.50 each, a coat for $12.50 red of course, Sam got three shirts, some boxers, messenger bag, got some gifts for next Christmas, some socks for myself (6 pair for $1.50) and then Dan got some items too. It was great. Picked up some clearance stuff at Barnes and Noble, Bath & Body, Hallmark, Jo-Ann Fabrics and then got groceries at a Supermarket there. The selection, at the bigger grocery stores, is so much nicer than here in Watford and significantly cheaper. We stocked up on chocolate chips for $.99 and got a bunch of other stuff. Anyway, it was fun, other than the drive home.

I called Tina and told her about the Old Navy sale and she did pretty well too, getting some stuff for this year and next year. She had a good time. It is fun to get a deal, especially when you actually need the stuff you are getting, not just buying it because it so cheap, which in the end isn't really a deal.

The one thing I was really looking for I didn't get which is size 2 bamboo circular needles so will just have to order those. I need a skein of yarn to finish some socks I am making so will place the order this week.

At Barnes and Noble I bought a calendar to keep track again of how much I spend. It is amazing when you have to write it down what you can blow money on. Kind of like food if you have to write it down you might not eat it.

January To Do List

The following is my To Do List for January. I decided to do a monthly list rather than a resolution list as I never seem to keep them. I don't think I do well planning a whole year ahead.
Each month there will be 10 things To Do if I can think of that many.

For January:
1. Join Fitness Center.
2. Read Two Books (1 is complete)
3. Lose 8 pounds.
4. Pay Citicard Balance (Not a big issue, few Christmas gifts).
5. Complete Bella's shrug. (Friend's granddaughter)
6. Complete YoYo Doll.
7. Cut out quilt pieces.
8. Complete Christmas Socks (gift for next Christmas).
9. Finish John's blanket.
10. Make doctor's appointment.

All of the above are easily completed if I stay on task and not get distracted.

The weather is beautiful today in the 20s so will be walking downtown to run some errands. The people in town do not do a very good job at keeping the sidewalks clean so the walkers take to the streets.

Some of my favorite sites for finding deals using coupons and rebates are:
http://www.dealseekingmom.com/
http://www.moneysavingmom.com/
http://www.yourcouponbuddy.com/
http://www.coupons.com/

If you are into doing the rebates, CVS ECB, using coupons these are great sites.