What's Goin' On

A few interviews...
A couple never made it past the HR screening phone interview, but I made it to the third elimination round for one position. I am not too disappointed.  It was for third shift.  Yes, I am applying for just about anything that  comes close to fitting the bill.
Is it close? Does it come close to paying what I made? Is the position halfway close to what I have done? Is it permanent and regular hours?  75% gets an application...

Knocking down the to-do list...
The house is cleaned like I haven't cleaned it since we started using cleaning people.  I have been baking bread and cooking most meals at home. The home inventory is juuuusssst about wrapped up.  I have gone through and sorted out for the upcoming community garage sale.  My baskets have been dusted (don't laugh, that is no small matter!). My basement has been cleaned.

Spinning...
The Estes Park Wool Market released the hand spun skein contest rules, and one of the surrounding counties has already put out their county fair rules, so I am spinning to that end, keeping in mind that I am also practicing for Sheep To Shawl.

Merino/Alpaca, 50:50. The dark is the merino and the white is alpaca.  I spun the singles randomly on one bobbin. The next bobbin, I tried to sort of stagger the colors opposite.  Turned out sort of crazy and pretty cool.

50:50 camel and silk.  This is really sleek.  Only 145 yards.

Knitting...
I have finished up a couple of requests from Middle Daughter and Precious Niece., a pair of slippers (my family goes through slippers like Sherman went through Georgia!) and a circular scarf (out of my handspun, which was nice as it was a choice on her part).

On the upside of not working, while Spring took a backseat to 22 inches of snow this past week, I could take my mornings easy, and stay inside.

Random Catch-Up

The problem with missing several weeks of posting is where to start when one has a bit of time.

I will simply jump in with bits and pieces and some randomness.

Work (which is still full-time temporary, and show no sign of changing) has held me to a crazy and mixed-up schedule for the last several weeks.  I have had early ins and late outs, which have allowed me to leave early on Fridays (good).  However, with the addition of yoga classes to the mix, my commuting by bicycling has been way off the mark for the summer (boo).  Perhaps I will get caught up with that, but alas…

Fall has come to northern Colorado in the last seven days, I fear.  Wham bam, and summer is done.  This just kills me.  I am enjoying a few tomatoes from the yard, and they are very good.  No where near like the first year, though.  The shade the pergola provides prevents the concrete patio from heating up and helping the tomatoes along, I believe.

Wonderful Guy and I drove south to the Renaissance Festival one weekend this summer.  It was very warm day for the re-enactors to be decked out in long layers of brocade and other finery, me thinks. I was glad to be in shorts and sandals.  We drove home the scenic route, and ate dinner in Denver at the Cheesecake Factory.  I mention this because I have never eaten at this place before, thereby never having had their Red Velvet Cheesecake.  I ate some that evening, and some after my lunch the next day, and some for dessert after dinner that night.  It was awesome each time.

Another Saturday, we took in a pancake breakfast held by a volunteer fire department in a small community up in the mountains.  Afterwards, we just kept driving higher, and lo and behold! We ended up in Granby at Lonesome Stone. Oh yes we did.  And I bought some souvenir yarn and some roving.  Because I had to.  A storm suddenly blew up and we couldn’t go visit the alpacas, you see…

I have found a place where I can swim, and that, along with yoga (and changing my purse) I believe has caused a change in the force with my back.  And for that, I will keep on doing what I am doing.  Daily back discomfort is not fun.  Waking up at night with back pain is not fun.  What is fun?  Having a night without that discomfort and waking up in the morning more rested than I have been in weeks…er…months.

Precious niece and Only Step-Son have become engaged to be married.  But not to each other.  But it appears both events will be the same month next year.  I can’t wait to see how each event is planned out!

That’s enough for now.

Incidentals

(because I have been just overwhelmed and so busy of late)
Biking this year: 130+ miles (just June, got a late start)

Knitted on the flight to Mexico, packed bamboo needles for knitting on the way home, hearing how Mexican security is about knitting needles, but ended up packing them. I was past thinking that hard. I haven’t knit a stitch in 12 days and counting.

4 blocks left on Grandgirl #3’s quilt.

One raw fleece (of 4 requiring it) scoured. It’s a CVM/Romeldale from a local farm, a covered, skirted fleece that was so clean, I might just be in love.

I gained 2 pounds on vacation. We are going to visit the Guy’s dad and step-mom over the 4th…she who usually has home-made cookies for the snacking. I am doomed.

3 posts written but requiring photo editing. They are good, exciting posts. Sort of.

Today’s high…100 (or close enough).

Spring is Springing (for now...)

Because it is Colorado, and snow will fly again…but we had 3 days with temps in the 60’s this past week, and on Wednesday, I walked the 2 blocks to Bunko (yes, I filled in this month again, and I was a winner again) and home.  It felt like spring, walking home at 9:45p, with a bit of humidity (for us) in the air, and the stars out, and all of that.
And while I know we will have more cold and chill, we have reached that point where I think the warming up days will out number the cold days.  That’s an important thing for me!
This past week also brought Wonderful Guy’s birthday, and we celebrated with the local offspring this weekend.  I looked forward to maybe…just maybe...cooking out. Alas, it did not happen.  The forecast misfired, and it was chilly.
Next month marks two years temping at the place of employment.  I do not know what the future holds for me there, but I am thinking the 2 year mark is some fixed line in the sand for temp employment.  HR back east has been contacted, though, but I don’t know anything for sure, and the holding pattern is getting tedious. My hope is that I get to continue collecting a steady and regular paycheck.
I need it, see, for a trip coming up that requires passportage.  Eldest Daughter is getting hitched out o’ country, and I need a new swimsuit, a new dress, and new shoes (apparently!).
Yes.  I get to shop for a swimsuit.  A dress.  And shoes.
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…these are not my favorite things to do.  I will endeavor to be successful, because I am so looking forward to The Event.  It’s going to be a good time, I do believe!
I was reminded this week that we have a time change coming up in this weekend!!!  What the heck?  I am just now getting adjusted to the last adjustment.  Well, perhaps that is a mild exaggeration…for artistic license…but only a mild exaggeration.  I am serious! It takes me a long time to adjust.  Could it be...gasp...age?
I have quilted 15 nights since mid-January.  That translates into real progress on Grandbebe the Third’s quilt.  Which is good, because (as predicted) DSis is getting all antsy pantsy about planning Number FIVE!!!  I haven’t even started piecing Grandbebe Four’s…she always wants me to be behind her.
Always.

Random Firings

-Okay.  I felt soap.  Not soup.  Even after that was pointed out, it took me a while to see the difference between the words.  My brain sees those two words very much the same. I don't know why.  I have never washed with soup.  I don't recall eating soap...

-Apollo is not my first kitty boy.  Joe, the little black ‘scaredy-cat hobo kitty’ that came to live with us in Kentucky was a kitty boy. Also my first kitty ever, that I was given on my 9^th (8th?) birthday, in Greensburg, Sugarboy, was a kitty boy.

-I shared at my last spinning class the comment about making my yarn from scratch, and my class peeps wanted to know if my sister knitted…like that would perhaps explain her Philistine attitude.

-Eight Seven Six days out from Christmas has me within one project of being knitted complete.  Will I get that finished? I do not know, but it will be done shortly after the holidays for sure.

-Meanwhile, I have been spinning.  I use the reasoning that I am avoiding repetitive stress injury.

-While I am looking forward to the holiday, I am looking more to the solstice and the turning point for the days to get longer.  It has been very difficult for me this year to have it dark at 5PM, blooming holiday cacti or no.

-I am contemplating goals for next year.  I am thinking maybe just making a list of those I didn’t meet this year, but that might be boring. (Suggestions? Knowing that I do not feel obligated to take any offered…)

-One might be getting back to regular posting...

Random Firings

So here’s the scoop…

I have had a blog post written and waiting for photos of finished pieces for about four days.

I now have taken the photos, but they remain unedited.

Therefore, I submit some meanderings instead of a well thought through and illustrated missive.

Spinning class started last week and the only event of the commute was a stunning sunset.  Today it is snowing.  Right now, I think the class is worth it.  Ask me at 10PM tonight on my way home…in the cold…and dark…by my lonesome…

Handsome Kitty Boy is settling in ever so well.  He does so want to friends with all.  He is rambunctious, however, and that leads Best Dog Ever to believe he sometimes needs to be rousted out of the room.  And The Cat Who Still Is Queen is still making sure the pecking order is understood. I have not had to fight a kitty for my yarn for many many years.  There is a learning curve for everyone.

I recently found out that the CSU mascot, CAM the ram, is not a big horn sheep but a Rambouillet.  Which, in my mind, begs the question, who gets his fleece when he is sheared?

This morning I unloaded my refrigerator in preparation for the delivery of a new one.  Last night I thought surely that 2 coolers and a couple of Styrofoam containers would do the trick.  While I was filling the third container, I thought of the square footage of the refrigerator and looked again at my coolers.  The complexities of the math were not beyond me, but fortunately (see Spinning and snowing) it is a chilly day, and the back patio will keep what doesn’t fit in a cooler nicely cold.

Now that our unusually long and warm fall has come crashing to a close, I am so glad that I put ‘knitting socks’ on my list of goals for the year.  My toes have stayed toasty in their hand knit goodness.

Stay tuned.  I have been knitting, carding wool, and spinning.  And there might be photos.

Or I might spend the next few days staring at my new fridge.

What To Do...

Sort of at a loss and spinning (not yarn) around directionless lately. But maybe that's not such a good description of it.

I have been getting 'lots' done. That's what I do when things are amiss. I keep busy. And this business at work has given me reason to keep busy. Working so I don't think. In other circles, it may be called denial.

I am practiced and very good at it.

Twirly Skirt #2 is done (shhh....don't tell Grandbebe Girl Two). Hiking Socks #2 are done. Test articles booties are done. Handspun Jacob and alpaca are dyed. Sweet Peasy has been 1/3 knit, frogged and re-knit (much more to my liking).

The weekend was spent with Lovely Step-Daughter, shopping for her new digs. Which was much fun. Retail therapy is very comforting. And also was very exhausting. I am feeling more rested once again.

Which is good, because this coming up Saturday, my knitter peeps and me are driving to the SoWY yarn shops in Cheyenne and Laramie for the Hot August Nights NoCO/SoWY yarn shop crawl. DSis says traveling to WY for yarn is over the top. I told her it's closer than Denver! And whatever. More retail therapy.

I need it.

Things will aright soon enough, and I will get over it, and move along. I always do.

Fractal Friday

The insurance people, the provider, and I are working towards an end with additional documentation being faxed for review. Hopefully we will only be out the originally planned amount. Which is enough, trust me! Time will tell. Thanks for the tea, sympathy, and advice.

I found out today my employer is offering the other temp a full time position, and while the position is below both mine in level and pay, still! It’s a burn. I like my job. I like my co-workers. I don’t dread getting up in the mornings and going to work, which is much much more than lots have. I probably wouldn’t mind staying on as things are now. But this chaps me. It leaves me out there. I had someone that understood, and now, I am the only temp again, working so they all meet the progress points for their bonuses.

Whatever.

The twist is set in the 6 skeins of Jacob I ended with. I think some of it might be a bit overly twisty, but in retrospect I am pleased with the learning process. That’s what spinning still is for me, learning. I was able to put into practice a lot of what I learned at the wool market workshop with this fleece, and this is the first sheep’s fleece I scoured. Stats: Before scouring - 2lbs, after - 17 3/8oz, resulting in 6 skeins of 2-ply, 16 1/2oz, approx 1260 yds. (Which I am planning to dye. Then knit into maybe a sweater. For me. Or someone else. But not the insurance person or anyone at work….)

A dental check-up this week had good results. I am grateful for that, as dental visits are anathema for me. Seriously. It goes way back to childhood trauma of which we will not speak.

I am going to start some of Sarrtje’s Booties (rav link) for Grandbebe Fourth. Out of some Brown Sheep Wildfoote I have on hand….which is PINK! I am ex-CIIIIIIIIT-ed!!!! The boys in the family keep saying things like ‘hey, the numbers are getting a little lopsided here…’, and the in-laws say ‘where are the boys?’. I reply with ‘trust me! The boys will follow the girls home soon enough and the numbers will get balanced!’

My new bike, Trekkie v.2, is proving to be more than I dreamed. I commuted 5 days last week, plus a trip to the farmer’s market on Saturday. This week allowed 4 days of commuting (because of the dental appt.). Headway is being gained on my mileage goal.

I am looking forward to a weekend.

Catch-All Catch Up

It's been a crazy few weeks at work, and for me that means on my feet much of the time in the lab.  With lots of thinking. When I get home, I am usually past that.  The thinking part, and therefore, no snap, no wit, and no insight.

So no blog posts of late.

Wonderful Guy and I rode 22 1/2 miles on the anniversary day.  Most of it pre-wind.  Part of the ride took us to our local public gardens.  I haven't even downloaded the photos.

The wind has since blown 3 of the last 4 days.  My three bloooming tall beardeds are holding their own.  Again, one might ask...where are the photos?  To which I would reply...that requires energy, motivation, and initiative.

There is a neighborhood garage sale approaching, and I am trying to make progress to that end.  It is easy to move things to the garage.  The organization/pricing/staging once there....not so much.  But I won't think about that today... 'I'll think about that tomorrow'.

Wisest Sister is coming for a visit this weekend and we are anxiously anticipating time spent with her.

Best Dog Ever has been exhibiting escapist tendencies, then returning home, her time away unnoticed.  We knew nothing of this, until neighbors ratted her out. We fixed what we thought was her route of freedom on Saturday.  But Sunday, when we ran into same neighbors, they said Best Dog (most-of-the-time) had been down the block, visiting again.  Wha??? Further investigation was called for and further remedy was made.

I have a brand spanking new studio/craft/me-space, and have not felt the creative mojo.  At all.  I spin, because so little thinking is required.

Grandbebe Bean's quilt sits in the corner and taunts me, saying, 'She will drive here one day looking for it, at the rate you are moving on it...then what will you say to her?  hmmmm?' I am committing myself to making one night a week 'quilting night' to make some progress on the quilting.

I do have all the plants purchased so far in the ground, or in patio pots, so progress there.  The yard is looking really fine, and I have been pleased to have had a couple of evenings where spending a bit of time under the pergola has been very pleasant.  I have never been in one home as long as I have been here.  This is the eighth spring here, and my yard has taken on a personality of it's own.  Sort of maturing, with certain things readily seeding out and spreading, and a survival of the fittest type thing going on.  It works, and I like it.  I like it alot.

Well, thanks for checking back when there were no updates.  Perhaps life will be a bit lighter going forward!

Nothing Much

But a post, none the less.

Wonderful Guy spent two days last week in Denver, and will be there all this week. Le weekend was spent catching up and getting ready.

A few other things were accomplished. Taxes were started. The ubiquitous slippers were finished, started, finished, started... A couple of trips were made to the supposed yarn sale to find the garage door closed. (pooh!)

This week I am in charge of everything, though.  Feeding the fish.  Dosing the dog. Bringing in the trash bin. Sorting mail.  I seriously hope it doesn't snow! Other than that, I feel I am up to the task.

I do get to feeling a little hinky when I find myself talking to Best Dog Ever in the evening.  And realize, when I hear my voice, that is the first 'person' I have spoken to all night.  Depending on my days at work?  Sometimes it's all day.

I subscribed to Interweave Knits this weekend.  And thanks for all the input about the cardi patterns.  Especially Mary...who added ANOTHER to my list.

Check out Audrey in Unst!

So, yes, the clan is preparing to gather the end of the month in Desert Crazy Town for Middle Daughter's tying of the nuptial knot. All the Offspring will be there, except for Only Step Son.  All my Sibs will be gathered, and we always have a really good time together. My plan was to travel to Philly from Denver, but instead, I will go to west before I go east.  In fact, Eldest Daughter & ManFriend, Precious Niece, DSis, and I will all be heading east together on the same day, but not on all the same flight.  Alas.  I will be alone on my plane, while they will be together.

All alone.
In the cold.
And the dark.
Alone.
In the rain.

I am sure they will start the Philly party without me.

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.

Blockhead

That would be me.

I have no less than five FO's blocking in the room where phototaking-yarnstorage-cardmaking-sewingsometimes occurs.  Also blocking, I guess.  Photos will follow when the afore-mentioned items are all spiffy looking and neatly done up.

Time to cast around for something else to cast on.  I have a couple of more xmas projects in mind.  And if time runs scant, oh well.  Perhaps they will be MLK birthday presents.  Or President's Day presents...but not for the Presidents.

I am nothing if not flexible.

About some things.

I had the chance to help out Youngest Daughter lately, on a particularly frigid morning.  She ran some errands, and I watched the grandbebes so she didn't have to drag them out.  Grandbebe Two laughed at me...I mean, with me...

Nothing like a bebe's laugh.  Apparently, it's a fairly new development, and her big sister is the one who elicits this behavior most readily. What fun!

Best Dog Ever curled up next...well...on the 'cushy' nativity recently.  I keep it on the floor for the bebe's, being all non-breakable.  So it got all spread around and mixed up.  Wonderful Guy went to put it back together.  I think he has Mary hanging with the Wise Men...

Currently on the Needles of Iron...an xmas scarf for someone...a Spectrum Scarf pattern of Lion Brand Wool Prints

Some really fun yarn I recieved from Lynne's recent contest...I call it 'Peppermint'.  Guess why.

And I wait for photos from DSis's recent excursion to SLC where she and the Mister both picked up a new old car for him, and saw my Grandbebe Bean...and Bebe's parents, too, of course.

In other news...baby, it's cold outside.  I don't believe we cleared 10F today.  And why, whenever I share weather tidbits, do I feel like I am my mother?  I don't believe she, or Our Dear Aunt, ever began a letter without mentioning what the weather had been doing.  Nothing like a few sub-20 days to make one look forward to the upcoming warming trend later in the week when we will be in the mid-30's.  Plain crazy talk.

Christmas approaches and progress has been made, but much yet to do.  And I am off, now to do some of it!  If one was looking for some handspun yarn to give a friend, there's a fun little Etsy shop that has just the thing!

Don't even know where to start, or where to go with this.

I am at the computer, working on a few loose ends before heading out for the day, and thought I have to get a post up. Why? I am not sure. Perhaps because I am under the delusion that I have readers waiting on tenter hooks to find out what is going on in my life.

I am very good at delusion. Ask Dearest Sister. Or Wisest Sister. Don't ask Only Brother. Can't anyway. He has no blog, and doesn't even read this one. Regularly.

Anyway. I am going out shortly and check on iris. As of last night, no new blooms. Might have a few this morning, but haven't checked, so no new pix. Sorry.

No new knitting. I have five (or maybe six?) dishclothes from the trip that I have yet to seam. Nothing but dishclothes. I have been quilting since the return, and there is nothing there to photograph yet.

That quilting. It is slow going. I like finishing things, see. That's one of the reasons I don't have 400 hundred knitting WIPs laying around languishing on the needles (of iron). I like finishing! Well. I have a ways to go with the quilt.

But not so far as when I started.

I have already ridden 150 miles on Trekkie, my bike this month. And recent sitings include the heron (again), baby prairie dogs, and all four baby geesees (foxies haven't got them yet!). Again, no photos. But hey...150 miles. And it's only the end of May.

And it's only the end of May. The yard is taking off. I am amazed how some of the corners of our yard have taken on their own personality. And mostly on its own. I sometimes have somewhat of a plan. But sometimes, I pick and plant...because I like the name of the plant. Bloodroot (does not do well in Colorado), Jupiters Beard (does very well...), Soapwort. Sometimes I plant because I love the plant. Soapwort (again), lilies of the valley, or Lavendar. By the gods, I will have lavendar in my yard. It took several tries to figure out where it was going to grow but it finally is!

Anyway. Again. No photos. Yet. I am such a tease.

So that's that. Wonderful Guy and I are going hiking today. Thanks for checking in and for reading in spite of my change in routine. My new job is wonderful and challenging and giving me opportunities to learn and grow in rewarding ways.

But it is kicking my middle aged rear end.

Random Firings

I finally finished my latest book. A good read, a long read, but won't re-read. Down to the shelf to be re-cycled back to the FOL. What will I read next?!?

I am knitting dishclothes. I have three of them almost finished, all but the garter stitch grafting. Ahhhh...immediate gratification after the MLCB. All that new yarn, and I am knitting with dishclothe cotton. Go figure.

While carrying the dishclothes with me, I snapped a size seven needle. Into 3 pieces. Don't ask me how. That leaves me with...one 10 inch sz seven. I have probably 9 pair of size six, and 12 pair of size eight. And, now, one SINGLE size seven needle. I finished the last dishclothe with one seven and one six.

Quilting on the GBII quilt progresses nicely.

The baby alpaca fleece is washed. And teased. And all carded. I have a basket full of rolags to spin. One basket. Then I will have completely processed one whole raw fleece from start to finish.

Wonderful Guy and I have a three day weekend ahead.

The snow is mostly gone, and things are greening, and spring bulbs are popping. Not so much in my yard. I am enjoying others fall planning. I have very few spring bulbs. By fall, I am totally past thinking...hmmm....what shall I plant for next year? Then come spring, I am all thinking, why didn't I plant some bulbs last fall?

Every year I think that. And I will probably do the same this year.

The week I start my new job, we are getting a pergola built over our patio. I love stacking challenges!

Babblative

babblative

\'ba-bl-tiv\ adj : pointlessly or annoyingly talkative : garrulous

At the risk of being...here's your post for the day...or for the last couple of days, as it were.

I am going to hae to go to Barnes and Noble today. Precious Niece has given her mother and myself the heads up, with the warning to 'not get any ideas' (silly girl!), about the latest issue of 'Quilter's Home' magazine. Apparently there is, within it's covers, an "exploration of adult themes in quilting". And this so hot that the publisher has gone to the trouble to wrap them in plastic before distributing them. JoAnns, that bastion of uprightness and morality, has opted not to carry this issue. I am not castigating JoAnn's here, folks, just reporting the news. I have three coupons for there (2-50% & 1-40% off!) even as I type this. According to the article, the magazine's other cover lines: "5 Popular Appliqué Glues Put to the Test," "Read This Before Buying That Longarm." Hmmm...I am not sure any of this is of use to me. Perhaps I should just take my coupons and go to JoAnns. And buy a quilt book!

Grandmama...quit stalking me!

I had lunch with Grandbebe Girl (and Bebe Momma and Wonderful Guy, too) yesterday. I am teaching her how to say 'girls rule'. Because we do.

'I wanted to wear the handknit sweater, but she made me wear this broncos sweatshirt...'

I finally made an appointment for a regular yearly check-up with the regular doc for this next week. I need prescriptions refilled and have managed to eke out the past year and a half without a visit. So now I will go in for the requisite yearly (or in my case, 2 and and half yearly)bloodwork for cholesterol, triglycerides, etc. I don't anticipate problems and it is so easy to put off. So I did. And now...this morning I awaken with a UTI. Jeesh. How does it always seem to happen like that?

Just about the time I am getting sick and tired of the MLCB, it's time to change colors. All new again! Shiny yarn! I have four skeins left. Then the binding, which, as of now, and this has changed about 437 times, I believe I will use some of my handspun. I am getting so close to the end I can taste it. Until I remember is takes about a week per skein of pretty good consistent knitting. That's four more weeks minimum! I may yet bag the handspun idea (even though it would be an excellent use for this early effort) and use one of the remaining skeins, thereby shortening the effort all around.

Because, remember, I am also quilting. (But only in a good way!) I calculate I am 0.375% complete. Exactly. Okay, I am joking. Best guess, about 1/3 maybe? I would hope more, but closer to a half is probably too generous. Somewhere in between.

So that pretty much defines blabbative, now, doesn't it?

Is It Spring?

We have had some great weather this week, with temps in the mid-60's. Now tomorrow and the weekend will be more typical for late February and early March, but my point is that the warmer days are just around the corner. I am not getting out in the yard yet. I know myself that well, but I am beginning to get ready to get excited about the prospect of the growing season.

How's that for some caveat?


Today, six years ago, Wonderful Guy gave me an engagement ring. He picked it out on his own...well, with Best Dog Ever's help...and gave it to me over dinner. Taking the relationship to the next level had been discussed in generic terms. The ring was a surprise. Also perfect.




Wonderful Guy has suggested we go out for a bite to eat tonight. I asked if I was going to get another ring...


Probably not. We are going where we have coupons now. Ach! So far we have fallen from the romantic days of yore.


In other news, Wonderful Guy and Only Step Son are heading south to visit his mother and sister on Saturday for a few days. I will be on my own. What ever shall I do with all my time?


Well, I will tell you.


There are two fibery types events on Saturday, a Fun Fiber Festival, then an Alpaca Extravaganza. I intend to take in both.


I will spend sometime on some papercrafting. There are birthdays coming up that require cardage.


I will quilt like a demon, having completed roughly four of 25 blocks/sashing already, and...


...as God as my witness, I will knit 'til the acres of garter stitch are plowed...I mean, done...well, that probably won't happen. Upon realistic consideration, there is too much there to do considering how long it has been taking for each skein. BUT I am on my last two skeins of Patons, and have only four more of Cascade 220, and one of those will go around as 'binding'. So yeah, closing in on the finish line. Also, if I knit all that up in four days, well, I can spell tendinitis.


I spun (as on Betsy, the flying Lendrum) on Sunday for the first time in about five months with a group of Ravelry spinners. I really needed something else to do beside quilting and knitting garter stitch. It was fuh-uhn! I broke out of the baby alpaca, too, and worked on some dyed merino I bought at the wool market last summer. Speaking of which, Estes Park Wool Market, June 13-14, with classes on June 11-12. So exciting! Fleeces! And all sorts of fleece growing critters! (Baaaaa ram ewe!)

I have started on two small knitting projects, just to give myself a bit of a break from the MLCB, as beautiful and interesting as it is. And it is, just...big...and ginourmous...and so much garter stitch. One is a little bow tie thingy I am KAL-ing with the Sister Project Group on Ravelry. I am using some of the first hanspun I ever made. Not perfect spinning, not perfect yarn, but still workable. Good practice for me, not having to be perfect. Good thing, because I hardly ever am! The other is going to use up some of my cotton yarn scraps. I am going to knit me up some Easter Eggs! Stay tuned for those puppies!

Random Firings

I went home sick with a bug yesterday. Can't remember the last time that happened, and so glad it seems to have passed quickly. A good reminder for me to have compassion for those stricken likewise. I returned to work today, and am on the hydration bus!


Phoebe appreciates all the well wishes. In her kittie way of appreciating that sort of thing, that is. Which is all 'whateva'. Day 5 of the pink stuff down...halfway home!


I am closing in on the finish line of my first entrelac project, and my first de-stashing effort of the new year. I may have it knitted up before the end of the month, which is very exciting from that 'getting things accomplished POV' that seems to make me go . There will be loose ends, many of them, in fact, to weave in, and blocking to do. It has been an interesting learning experience, and I feel like I understand the entrelac concept. It is not a perfect rendition, but very passable for my purposes, which is to provide a warm shawl for me to wear around the house, and to use up some good stash yarn I got on sale. Check, check, double and triple check. Feeling good about all of the above because it all works together. Photo to follow...when I get my act together in that regard.

Speaking of blocking...it will be a new experience. Wonderful Guy and I invested in a steamer recently. His idea is to avoid ironing. At all costs. My idea was, of course, to help with after-knitting blocking efforts. And steaming hard to iron things, like swags and dust ruffles. I am not so down on ironing real life things that look so neat when pressed. I just love a freshly pressed cotton blouse. (Especially when someone else does it.) And of course, when sewing, there is no help for pressing seams. At least in my experience. Yet.


I had a dental check-up with no issues. Yes, it is worth mentioning.

A call from Maggie at Shuttles in Boulder told me that the much-anticipated and long-looked for bobbins for Betsy, my Spinning Lendrum have arrived. I will travel south on Saturday to pick up some extra, and take my book for Maggie to sign. I am excited! Also, the extra bobbins will help in the de-stashing resolve. I think.


I say 'I think' because I really must get cracking on the quilt for Grandbebe Two. I must. We have just recently been informed that there will also be a Grandbebe Trois. I am already behind! Dearest Sister and I have been frantically perusing her stash, trying to decide on appropriate color combinations, and suitable motifs. Well, her mostly. I am still stuck on the cutting and piecing...well, cutting...of the first quilt! Woe is me. Here I am trying hard to use stuff up, and there she is shipping her stuff to my place...how is this fair?

Mostly Back To Normal...

...whatever that is...


I mean I went back to work today. But that's a far cry from normal. Some more people are gone today. Hard to tell being the in-between-the-holidays week, though. One could toss a brick and not hit anyone...this place is so empty.


Eldest Daughter and Lovely Step-Daughter return to their respective homes tomorrow. I am missing them already. My holidays were the better for having the kids around.


I reminded Dearest Sister that we are going to have to get cracking on quilt, part deux for Grandbebe Two. She replied 'I have my squares already embroidered.' Well then...I guess one of us is already cracked! Seriously though...I want to have it quilted before summer. I am pretty sure I won't be wanting a junior sized quilt across my lap in July while I am quilting away. I know myself that well!


I won't be traveling anytime soon. I burned through all my time off, and then some, with this little 'fix up' of mine. I hate that. I spent many years following the X as he progressed through his career, starting over with new jobs, and the subsequent restarting of earning the vacation time. Since the dee-vorce, I finally have reached a point where I have racked up some hours in the bank. I enjoyed being able to have that flexibility. I know it was a good thing to have for just such an occasion, too. That's what it is there for, after all. It will re-accumulate readily, too, I suppose.


Bottom line. The 'fix-up' seems to be working, and I am really liking that part of it!


Besides...I do not know what this year will hold for me at work. Vacation accumulation may be small potatoes! I may have more time off than I know what to do with.

Random Firings

(That’s what I felt like was going off in my head this weekend with a migraine.)

I am lining up trip knitting once again. We are getting ready for a vacation trip to Yellowstone. We have reservations for the last part of the week, but have decided that for the first part, we will meander northward, camping as we go. Yep, we are throwing the tent and bags in the car and will find places to pitch along the way. Adventure! Spontaneity! Excitement!

So back to trip knitting….what to take…the ubiquitous dishclothe for sure. Finish up the Hedera socks. Can’t cast on the Miss Muffett as I have staked that project for the Ravelympics. Throw a Calorimetry or two in the mix (I had to frog one knitted on the 4th trip. My gauge lied to me.). I think another pair of socks will do the trick. Or two.

Between the Tour de Fleece and the Ravelympics, one would think yours truly is such an athlete! Or skilled craftsperson! Or crackhead! Or (fill in the blank)!

So I am off to the wild nether regions of no cell service nor innerwebs for a week, and things still all a-kilter at the place of quasi-employment. This will be a test, now won’t it? It has taken everything my program has to keep me even through all of this. Believing that it is going to be exactly as it needs to be in the end doesn’t mean it is an easy thing to go through. My humanness would like to know how it is going to turn out…now, please, and thank you very much!

Only Step-Son is going to house-sit, and care for kittie girls and Best Dog Ever. He will be accompanied by the Grand-Dog. I wonder how long it will take for the kittie girls to speak to us when we get home.

I might have a ripe tomato or two on my return.

I am expecting a visit from Dearest Sister and Galaxie Guy the following weekend. She will want to share my tomatoes. Maybe I will tell her Only Step-Son ate them all. Oh, what am I saying? Of course I will share. She’s my Dearest Sister, after all. (maybe…)

No bike riding lately. It has been too hot for that after having the migraine this weekend.

I found I need a couple of fillings replaced at a check-up earlier this week. I hate that. I mean I like having teeth, but I really hate having dental work done. It goes back to my childhood, I know, and I have a really great dentist. But still. Gah!

mmmm.....tomatoes.....