GGPs & FOs

or Gratuitous Grandbebe Photos and Finished Objects.

Sometimes together.

After a day of this...

(I know.  They sent us three copies.)

...I took the opportunity to go to a home candle party with Youngest last night.

And to drop off the bebe socks I have been practicing my short row heels and toes not completely successfully on.  Not worries, however.  The socks fit now! and probably won't next week!  So others will be needed and more practicing to do.  I am adjusting sizes in my head as I write this.

But don't they look cutey pie?

Also (again thanks to Ravelry), on the sock knitters group, I found a couple of Cat Bordhi videos on YouTube that gave me something else to try.  I just love this new fangled internet wave of the future surfin' stuff.

The Grandbebe Girls went with us, and look what all the well dressed babies are wearing to candle parties these days?

That's right.  A Baby Surprise Jacket. Surprise!

And when I arrived home after the festivities, I completed Slippers the Fourth.  I do believe I am getting the hang of these puppies.  While I heard it only takes 90 minutes to knit, it takes me a bit longer.  Perhaps if my sz 15s were not of the long variety, I wouldn't be so unwieldy in my knitting.  As it is, currently on the Needles of Iron are the slippers and bebe sockies.  I am switching from sz 2s to sz 15s.  My hands are traumatized.

(Not really showing up as the heathery blue that they are, on my monitor at least.)

Anyway, I digress.  Beyond the knitting, which for me takes longer than 90 minutes, I block the finished pieces before seaming, so with a steamer (not soaking then pinning) that is an overnight wait in this very dry climate.  Then seaming, which I don't find entirely unpleasant, but time consuming.  I have determined handfelting gives me the results I want, which is about a 90 minute chore, which is finished up with some time in the dryer.  There is some time air drying, probably a day and a half? again in my super dry climate, before finishing the toe flap.

My point is that while a quick knit, not a super quick project, but one with lots of finishing details.

However, that said, I wear my slippers every darn night.  I have skinny feet, and it is hard to find store bought slippers that fit me.  These just hug my feet so comfortably, and are fun to look down and see what I made.

Okay, back to taxes.

A Day Late

(That’s what I get for putting off til the next day what I could have done the previous night! A late blog post!)
So I missed Wednesday, because because because….

The PO has redeemed itself by delivering all packages I mailed of late. Which is really a good deal, even with the additional 34 cents. I really wouldn’t want to drive the parcels to where they were going for the amount of money it takes to send them. Really!

My friend was very pleased with the Big Foot (rav link) shawl and believed it to be a very intricate and difficult knit. I was gracious but had to be honest, that while it was lace, it was not difficult lace. To muggles, though…even simple lace looks shiny!

DSis says the slippers fit like a dream and she is very pleased with her handknit socks. Very gratifying. She understands! I have also been practicing on new sock techniques (short row heels and toes), using the leftovers from the yarn I used from her socks to knit up sockies for the grandbebe girls.

Using up tail ends!
Practicing new techniques on quick, yet functional, knits!
And! DSis and Grandbebe Girl et Two will be all matchey matchey.

Or at least their feet will. So much good! Can it get any better? (Lynne - the handpainted sock yarn is Toez Toes, and I bought it in Wamego, KS, from a place called Settler's Farm, now The Wicked Stitch.  Interestingly, I found it is the same person who does the Whirled Yarn, which is the artsy yarn I won in your blog contest!)

Wisest Sister has received her handspun yarn. 3 skeins of 3 ply cranberry flavored merino...hand spun.  I asked her to let me know how it knits up. Then I thought, if it were me? I might not be knitting on that for some time. I need to give her the space to look upon it admiringly... for a couple of years, I think.
My former co-workers/knitter people have continued to meet around my kitchen table on occasion. And we have taken the opportunity to knit the same sweater. Or each our own version of the same sweater pattern, actually! A knit-along or KAL in knitterly lingo. The ubiquitous February Lady Sweater is the deal. We gathered a few nights ago, with colors of purple, maroon, grey green, and palest blue. There were all different blends and weights of yarn as well. One of us had the sweater already almost half knit! (Not me!) Said she was convinced she would be behind! Another frogged after a couple of rows, disappointed with her increases. I had to reread the instructions, and try to figure out what I had done a month ago, then realized my pages were out of order.

There was laughing and it really was a good time.

Last Hugs

One of the blogs in my reader is Crazy Aunt Purl. I can identify with her living alone after her divorce, with 4 felines to keep her company. There were some differences between me and Crazy Aunt Purl. I had only 3 cats when divorced. In my defense, one had gone to kitty heaven (which is also known as hamster hell in our family...) not long before the marriage went belly up, and I also had some kids to keep me sane and/or drive me crazy. You chose.

But I, too, went the self-discovery route, and had good friends that helped keep the walls around me from becoming too thick and steep, and now, down the road aways, I am still alive, and healthier for it.

This is about Phoebe, who was always my little kitty girl, even when she was my old lady kitty. To the credit of the X, she lived. She came to us a stray, as all the kitties I have ever had the pleasure to feed. The X rescued her as a tiny baby kitty on the yellow line of a two lane highway. We always thought she had just been dumped. She lived with me since he brought her home.

Her name came from the Bible, not from 'Friends'. Our kitties ended up with biblical names.  Started with a kitty that was such a momma kitty, so she was Mary.  Then a kitty that was nothing but a little hobo, so he was Joe.  'Outsiders' commented that 'wasn't it cute' the preacher's family named their kitties after the holy family, and we were all huh? Well, if the shoe fits...so the co-dependent calico who would go whereever you would go became Ruth, and Phoebe was just Phoebe.

Phoebe was a fun gardening companion, lurking amongst the flower beds, and when I would reach to grab a weed, often my hand would be grabbed by the Phoeb-meister. She was the littlest and youngest of the kitties but held her own with the others.

When I moved in with the Wonderful Guy, it was very traumatic for Phoebe. Best Dog Ever lived there, but Phoebe was not convinced that she was the best dog ever. While my other 2 kitties adapted to Best Dog Ever and the Cat Who Would Be Queen, Phoebe stayed in the basement for about 2 years. Literally. In the basement. When I was laid off from my job, while at home, I determined that seeing Phoebe feel comfortable upstairs would be my personal goal.

I worked gradually with taking her upstairs with me to the bedroom/bathroom and shutting the door. She got to where I could coax her (which was safer, because she was not de-clawed!) when Best Dog Ever was outside. Then I moved her food bowl upstairs. That was the deal maker! You can tell from the photos, she did not miss any meals.

We began to work on her going outside willingly again. Finally, while I was fixing coffee first thing in the morning, she was coming to the patio door to be let out, just like old times. And Wonderful Guy says he often found her under the raspberry bushes in the afternoon. When it was warmish.  She would have nothing to do with anything outside in inclement weather.  Phoebe, as with most cats, had high standards.

Little by little, things of my old life have passed or been replaced. The car I brought to this relationship (and wrecked!), the furniture's mostly been replaced, my bloodroot that I had carried from the last two places I lived hasn't come back. Things all, and probably time for them to go. But I hold on to stuff in a sentimental fashion, way too long. Somehow it becomes symbolic for me. Phoebe was the last of the 3 kitties, and she was 16 years old this year.

Phoebe was diagnosed with renal disease last year, but showed a terrific will and spirit of life.  Just New Year's Day, while I was taking down the tree, she was chasing the bits and pieces of the tree as they fell on the floor and skittered about. She greeted us each morning with appetite and eccentricities.  She fended Best Dog Ever from the water dish, much to canine chagrin, and reminded the Cat Who Would Be Queen who had claws and who did not.

Until about 10 days ago. And Saturday, I had to make the decision and give her a last gift of kindness. My last kitty is gone and I am sad.

I also have a lot of dried catnip from my yard.  Phoebe loved her some catnip.  One of my goals over the next couple of weeks is to design come up with (gah, design sounded too pretentious!) my own felted catnip toy for Atomic Sisters.  The Phoebe Memorial Catnip Craziness Thingie Whatnot Dohicky.  Or something. (Any suggestions for a name?) (Maybe a contest?) (With a prize of yarn from the Etsy store?)  (I will work on that ...)

Why not?  Otherwise, the Cat Who Is Now Queen will get it all, and that won't be good for her. And it's a way to say good-bye to my friend.

(Pardon me but parts of this post is a rehash from way back machine.)

New Books

2 photography (xmas gift from Eldest Daughter. Who takes care of her momma most excellently)

Understanding Exposure, by Peterson, and Macro Photography by Dietrick.  I have read the Exposure book, and it is very good!

3 knitting (xmas gift from my most excellent MIL)

The Knitter's Bible, by Claire Crompton, Fair Isle Sweaters Simplified, by the Bourgeois (which is such a fasicinating story of Philosopher's Wool), and Beautiful Knitting, by Luce Smits.

2 knitting purchased (with an xmas gift card, from the most excellent Wondenful Guy)

The Knitter's Book of Wool, by Ms. Crompton (after looking over her 'bible, and upon the recommendation of Erin), and Ann Budd's Handy Book of Sweater Pattern.  After all, I have a sweater quest this year.

1 gifted from Wisest Sister (whose job at JoAnn’s has the most excellent benefits in the world, apparently. For me.) (That didn't make into the photo, I am just now realizing!)

Victorian Lace Today, by Jane Sowerby.  With examples of Victorian Lace patterns.  Geez. oh. peez. 

I might need to expand my knitting section to a second shelf!
I am feeling sated.
For now.
Gah. I love me some books.

Seriously and totally.

More Random

I had a post planned.

But.

There's always a but. This time it's about photos, and the light by the time I got home, blah blah blah.

See. It's like this. I had yarn to mail. It took me a few days to get it all ready anyway, but Saturday before the trip to Denver to see the Big Blue Bear, I mean, the RVs of various sizes and luxury, I made Wonderful Guy stop at the PO to mail the yarn. And since he is wonderful, and loves me, he did so.

Monday, I also went to the PO to mail two other packages. Remember? The package dumpster was full up and locked?

Tuesday I returned to actually mail said packages. Then, when checking the mail at home, what do I find when opening the mailbox? The yarn packages mailed on Saturday.

Seems that even though they were in envelopes, they are considered 'parcels' and therefore they were 'returned to sender'. There was also a 'sticky note' that contained a message of which I was unclear of the meaning.

So Wednesday, I made yet another trip to the PO. This time I stood in line. For lots of minutes. Even a portion of an hour. I credit the PO people. They worked steadily and cheerfully. The young women in front of me recieved no less than 15 text messages while we were in line, and the fellow behind me did some serious business on his phone, until I heard him say that his phone was about to die. Myself? I watched people and held onto my yarn, and thought about what I was going to make for supper, how I was going to felt the slippers-to-felted, and what about short row heels and toes?

Then it was my turn, and the cryptic message stuck to my yarny packages was gladly deciphered without judgment. I am glad because I hate judgment. But I digress. I just needed to affix a bit more postage, in addition to what was already there.

34 cents more. For each package.

Yep. 34 cents.

On the upside? Tonight there is no trip to the PO after work.

Stuff and Nonsense

I had to work today and the Guy did not.  He bought an aquarium.  His plan is for the salt water variety.  I am thinking I will get some yarn mileage out this!  That's okay.  He needs a winter hobby when he can't ride the Bandit.

I found Paton's Classic Wool on sale at Michael's and sucked it up to go there.  It was a very good sale, but that is not my favorite place to shop.  It...smells funny there, and no matter where I go, KC, Philly, or here, they all smell identical!  Anyway.  More slippers in the queue in a veritable rainbow of colors.

DSis and I have plane tickets and plans for a trip to Philly/NYC end of February/first of March to see each of our firstborn.  We will take in the Philly Flower Show, and whatever Precious Niece digs up for us to see in the Big Apple.  I hear there are a few interesting things there.  Besides the Naked Cowboy who we already saw when we were there before.

Must...start...quilting....again...

I headed to the PO to mail my two packages after work.  I knew they weren't open, but planned to use the helpful kiosk to buy postage, which I did, and then found the package dumpster full up and LOCKED UP TIGHT.  Said packages are postage paid and in the back seat of my car.  Little things...whatever.

And that is all I have tonight.

Bears and Buttons and Big Foot

Wonderful Guy and I took an outing to the RV Show in Denver yesterday.  I had not been to one, and it had been a while for him.

Like maybe 48 years or so.  One can certainly travel in comfort these days.

More importantly, however, the show was held in convention center in Denver, where this guy is on the outside looking in.

We have our own miniature that the Guy found in his stocking a few years back.  I just love walking through the office and seeing him peering at me from inside the shelves.

Buttons buttons, I need the buttons for these...

and these...

or rather those that will be knitted out of these...and I am so glad that DSis is a generous sister...

And in case there was any wonder about what the shawl looks like in real life...

Now I am off.  I have a package to prepare to send (surprise to some one!), 2 meetings to attend today, a snack to prepare for one (which I have the vaguest clue about what it is going to be), and I need to decide about whether to frog a sock.

It's a shade tight around the ankle. Sort of a test sock and really? I think a test sock means working it out, testing it out 'til it's right. And right now it's not right.

I think I just convinced myself.  So there's also going to be frogging and re-casting on today, it seems.  I have added to my goals, by the way.  Short row heels and toes in sock making.  (I know you all wanted to know that.)

Expectations of Others

(Or Wanting Others Different Than Who They Are)

I spent many years of my life thinking others would be better served to behave the way I thought they ought to behave.

I believed that if others would only ‘be this way’ or ‘quit doing that’, my life would be so much more peaceful.

But mostly people were who they were, and did what they wanted to do, without any regard for my wishes. Go figure. No amount of passive-aggressive, co-dependent, controlling behavior on my part got others to do anything I wanted them to.

Only thing that happened was the build-up of anger and resentment in me at others for messing up my life. Co-workers, family members, neighbors…it didn’t matter. Any of these in my circle of acquaintances might be the thorn in my flesh, that if only I could get to change….or get out…well, then I thought I, and they! would be so much happier.

I have since learned that people are who they are. And they changed when they are ready. Or they don’t change ever.

They never change because I want them to. Or because I insist on telling them what they need to do. Ever. My peace comes in accepting them for who they are, and seeing the value in them, just as they are.

And in working boundaries to protect myself if they are truly threatening, detaching from the drama on which some feed, understanding the difference in acceptance of the person as valuable and ‘giving into’ the unhealthy wishes and demands to make that person feel worthy.

I have had some times in my life that were silly, whiney examples of me not being able to ‘get-along’. And I have had a couple of examples of some who were in my life to teach me this specific lesson. I am not sure I learned it well enough. I am sort of waiting for the follow-up course.

Wordless Wednesday (Almost)

Almost, because, I am never without words.

Just sometimes pressed for time.  And rather unorganized and not planned ahead.

Like for this post.  Busy night last night.  Doing this...

The French Press Slippers have been further shrinkied by wetting and tumble drying.  They are considerable shorter than when previously photographed, and I believe will fit DSis nigh on to perfectly now.  Pair next are ready for felting. (Patons Classic Wool)

And this. Big Foot Shawl, Wrapped In Comfort, Allison Jeppson Hyde (the book gifted to me by Wisest Sister!), knitted with Naturally Dawn, 50:50 wool/silk,

Monday I recieved the yarn from a fellow Raveler to finish off this shawl.  I just love me my fellow 'fancy workers'!

More New Year/Fresh Decade Carp

This could very well be 'The Decade of Retirement'.

Which is a very exciting thought. My time to do with as I will! Mine. Mine! All MINE!!

But. Also? Certainly the decade of turning sixty. Which is a very sobering thought. Very. Very Sobering.

How can I be this old? I watch reruns of ‘That 70’s Show’ and just crack up, because, you know, there I am, bell bottoms and all. Like just yesterday!

Or so.

But guess what? Even those actors? All grown up.

I look at the pictures from Christmas and am just so warmed by my kids and the grandbebes, and then I see ME! Who is that old woman?! While I love my natural hair color, and especially not coloring it, it still takes me back to see how…silver….it is.

I just don’t see myself that way. There is some big disconnect somewhere, and while I am okay with being 50-ish and feeling really alive and learning and growing blah blah blah…

Sixty! Seriously?

Whatever. What am I going to do about it?


So I started those French Press Slippers yesterday. I found the pattern in my stocking Christmas morning. (Or at least the funds to buy the pattern!) I have been studying the pattern, and...here are my thoughts...

after knitting with lacewgt, and fingering, on sz 6 and sz 2, I thought I would change it up to worsted and sz 15s!

It took me longer than 90 minutes to knit, but still, not hard, and pretty fast.

Patons Classic Wool can't be beat for felting, even by hand, which is my lot in life now, since I bought my fancy schmancy front loader.

My first pair worked out very well, and I think the pattern well written. The help from the French Press group on Ravelry was...helpful.

However.

While these are not completed completed, they are completely felted. As small as they are going to get, in other words. And they are not small enough for me.

Evidently.

Fortunately, I do not have the largest feet in my family. I will make another pair of the next size smaller. Which I considered doing...but then thought to myself, oh no! I have lo-ong feet. Which I do. Sort of.

But not this long. They will go to DSis when dry and finishing touches...touched. If they don't fit her, perhaps they will travel to Wisest Sister. Middle Daughter also wears her some boats, so she might also be an option.

If we strike out, I still call it a learning experience, and nothing lost. The pattern is great, and the yarn is not expensive.

At least, that is my frame of mind this afternoon.

On The Needles Of Iron (and contest winner announcement)

A yearly goal…

The February Lady Sweater, barely started,  so really not worth a photo, which may turn into a KAL with my former co-worker knitter peeps. I am knitting with Elsabeth Lavold Silky Wool.

A secret…for someone…out of hand dyed Toe Toez, purchased from Settlers Farm (now the Wicked Stitch), in Wamego, KS. Appropriately, I think. (Clues!) So, no photo yet.

A gift…a Big Foot Shawl, from Wrapped In Comfort. Complete except for the last half of the bind off row. Yes. That’s right. I have come up short of yarn, pushing the yarn goddess too far, once again. This time, however, I went to Ravelry, to the Yarn forum, and made a plea. Someone answered, and there is someone else’s leftover Naturally Dawn winging its way to me, for which to finish up this excellent piece. I cannot wait to see it blocked. Stay tuned. Again, no photo.  Still sort of a tender subject, and really just sort of a blob of blue until blocked.
Also. I love Ravelry. Again.

Really?  I was going to take photos of all the above but ended up with Youngest and the Grandbebe Girl and Two last night. Their power went out temporarily, so I was the winner.

Speaking of winners...

The winner of a $35 gift certificate to the world renown Atomic Sisters Etsy Emporium is….drum roll….

in a totally arbitrary drawing of names on little slips of paper...from a newly thrifted, gifted Longaberger basket Christmas gift from DSis (oh she knows me so well)...

Erin!

…..cymbal crash!!

(Erin, I sent you a comment letting you know. Contact me by email (over in the sidebar above the photo of the Cat Who Would Be Queen) and we will arrange for the winnings!)

Thanks, everyone, for reading along with me, for commenting, and participating in our contesting (and by our, I mean DSis and myself!). Here’s to Year Trois (lifting a glass)!

Playing With the dSLR

Wonderful Guy and I headed up to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain over New Years to try out some tips and tricks with the camera Eldest Daughter showed me during her visit.

This camera has lots of tricks. And I need lots of tips.

I have only begun to scratch the surface using the lens I purchased originally, that came in the kit.

But for Christmas, I put a zoom on my list, which the Guy bought for me.

And we wanted to try it out. We wanted to get some Wild! Life! Shots!

So up the mountain we went. Before Christmas, when we took Eldest and ManFriend up to Rocky, we took this shot. It is an exposure (technical term!) of a bachelor party of bull elk. How many do you see?

There are five in this photo.  Really.

This past week end (and this may be the same group, actually), we were able to zoom in on these guys. From further away, I do believe.

Sweet, huh?

In town we found these folks lounging…

And the snow blowing around this deer.

But as we headed home, at dusk, and after I had changed out lens, the lights on the Stanley (remember The Shining, or Dumb and Dumber?) came on. Wonderful Guy turned up the road saying ‘this might be worth a shot’.

(lighter than it really was)

I was full of excuses…too dark, no tripod, zoom put away…blah blah blah…but I would try. I put to work the tips on exposure that Eldest had fed me.

(mostly realistic of actual light)

I tried a couple of different aperture stops, setting the shutter speed accordingly, with the camera on Manual.

Then I adjusted the ISO setting.

I had a few shots that were worthless, but I got some really good shots, too, I think. (No photoshopping here, except for sizing.)

The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, January 2,2010, at dusk.

Also, on Tuesday, this week, I had my old co-worker knitting peeps over. And it was suh-weet!

Coming Up in 2010

Well, just exactly do I think I want to try to do this next year?

• Finish Grandbebe Bean’s quilt, for one.
• Knit sweaters (in particular Feb Lady Sweater and EZ’s Green Sweater).
• Knit more socks (2 3 4 pair).
• Go to Philly (week penciled in).
• Go to Yellowstone (reservations made).
• Take a photography class (scheduled).
• Learn to dye? (maybe)
• Commute by bike (starting in May) at least 600 miles.
• Hike 40 miles.
• Snowshoe.

(somebody stop me!)

• Brush off the soap making skilz.
• Learn some different spinning skilz.
• Improve photoshop skilz.
• Paint upstairs rooms.
• Rail fence section in the yard.
• Sew some.
• Stay honest. Be open. Remember the lessons that brought me here.

That will do for now, I believe.

A Fnuggie?

So.  Eldest Daughter arrived in town a week before the big gift giving day.  Seriously? Too much time for us to behave ourselves.

I had in my possession a discount to a department store.  A sizable discount.  One that would make some things...oh...say...like a Snuggie...affordable.  And with some of the innerwebs chatter of late, sort of what we thought might be a humorous, yet...useful gift.  I mean, who doesn't want to be warm at a soccer game...

So.  Off we went.  And lucky for us, one of the critters was out of box.  Let me tell you, folks.  If these could be made of less attractive synthetically compounded fabric, I do not know what it could be.  I even sort of slipped it on, and being immediately convinced there was no hope here, removed it, at which time my hair stood on end as it has not done since we played with the Van der Graff's accelerator in sophomore physics in college.

We left the display, but undaunted, headed towarded the fleece throw aisle.  There (for less!) we found what we wanted, and left the store, 4 throws, in assorted colors, in hand.

"If Mom were cold, she could not wear a blanket while operating scissors, but she could wear a fnuggie!"

On Christmas Eve, we sized and cut...

stand back, there is sewing going on here!

and measured and sewed...

Notice the stylin' collars...and our totally unplanned color coordination!

and behold!  We present the Fnuggie (pronounced fuh-nuggie), because...while you can't fake alot of things, you sure can fake a Snuggie!

We coerced enlisted the help of others to capture the moment when Middle and Youngest Daughter would discover their very own Fnuggie.

The 'What the he..' moment...

Demonstrating the freedom of the hands!

and the daughters subsequenting losing it!

(Notice our professional labeling job!)

But.  Really?  Down deep, they loved that you can go to the airport in a fnuggie, to a soccer game, you can sit around the fire....but not too close! And cook dinner, and feed a baby...well, sort of...

And..other things too numerous to mention!

(When Only Step-Son's Sweet Friend unwrapped a throw as a gift, I generously offered to cut into it for her.  What else could I do? I know she was coveting one of these puppies for herself!)

Two Years Now

I started this humble little effort of mine 2 years ago on January 1st. Yessirree, I did.

I was not sure where it was to go, or what I was going to do with it, beyond just a vague sketch in my head.

Often I hear that plans and outlines and ideas going forward are the way to get where one wants to go. Guess I didn’t know where I wanted to go, because I figured if I was going to do this, I better just start, and the first of the year is always a good day to do that. Start something, that is.

I had given it some thought. For some weeks, I had pondered the issue of a name. Title, yes. Aim and direction and focus? Not so much.

Probably why I never wrote a novel.

There was one goal I did set for myself, and that was to be true to me, and to keep this blog for me and no one else. That meant for me that I was going to honest (without hurting anyone, of course), and that this exercise was for me. I am glad that some have found it interesting and maybe entertaining or even helpful, but really? It’s more about what I want to write, and how I feel I want to express myself.

I didn’t know if anyone would ever find my blog. I didn’t know if I wanted anyone to find it. I didn’t tell my family about it for some weeks.  Maybe months.

But I put the link out there when I posted comments, out on Ravelry, and I let the fam know the secrets were being aired, like dirty laundry.

In all, it’s been a very rewarding experience, and I have even brought DSis, Middle Daughter, and BFF over to the dark side. (Mwahahaha!)

I recently started working on slurping my posts up into a book. (o my gah! That sounds so pretentious!) I am doing it 1) because I just love me some hard copy, and 2) what happens if Blogger disappears someday? In working through the ‘editing’ of the slurps, I am pleased with what I have found. Sure, some of it is cheesy, but some of my writing…well…it’s okay. I have grown, and my photography has matured.

Pretty sweet.

Some of the most fun I have had started this past October, when DSis and I started our tag-team blogging, and then opened Atomic Sisters (where she sells things, and I do not!). We have continued posting at our respective blogs on alternating days, which I think works very well. Keeps me motivated, scheduled, and honest! And we can feed off each other, too, which we have always done very well. Much to our mother's dismay as we sat in the backseat and laughed uproarilously at nothing.

Enough of the retrospective. Suffice it to say I think I will keep at it. Those who know me (in real life) know I generally always have something to say!

With anniversaries around here come contests, and here’s the deal for this one.
1. Leave a comment with a goal you have for the New Year. (We don’t do no stinking resolutions around here!)
2. And come next Friday (Jan 8), there will be a drawing.
3. Doesn’t get much more simple than that.
4. (If you do not wish to be in the drawing, that’s okay. You can still wish me a happy bloggy-versary. Just let me know you are opting out.)

Seems like I have left something out…oh, the prize! Well, see it’s like this. We have this Etsy shop called Atomic Sisters, and the winner will receive a $35 shopping spree to said shop. (fabric, and aprons, and handspun yarn! Oh my!)

There you go, folks