One New Years Resolution done

I did it! I finally made a New Years Resolution I kept! Today I had my first spinning lesson. The place I took it at is way out in the country and she has her own sheep out back. Todays lesson I learned how to card the wool and use a drop spindle. It's not coming very easy to me yet but she says I'm doing fine.This is how the wool starts. Then using these you card it. (Just like brushing)And then it looks like this.After you get a lot of that done you get your spindle and twist. Here's my spindle. I think it's beautiful. Here's my yarn but don't laugh. I have to keep practicing.I also bought a book because I was scared I was going to forget what I had learned. That happens a lot nowadays.

Next I would like to thank Shirley in Vancouver for my swap gift. This was my first swap and I'm already addicted to them. It was great fun. I love love love my socks. You did it perfect. She also put in some tea, lotion (which I really love the smell of), some point protectors, and some cards from Vancouver. Thank you so much. And last but not least here's my son-in-law in his new scarf. He says he loves it.

One done

I haven't been posting lately because it just seemed like I was getting nowhere on any projects. Yesterday I finally finished my son-in-laws scarf.Notice the small tassles. I came dangerously close to running out of yarn. I hate when that happens! So today and tomorrow I am going to finish my socks I've been working on for my Sock a Month club. And then I have to start the Secret of the Stole II. Everyone else is done with clue 1 and I haven't even started. On a positive note, I have been telling you guys about my old house and how much work it is. There are advantages to having an old house. Here you see a yucky old radiator.It's not much to look at. But on really cold days like we've been having it turns into one of my greatest pleasures.Yes, my very own towel warmer! There's nothing so nice and comfy when you step out of a hot shower to wrap yourself in a toasty warm towel. AHHHHH.Last but certainly not least here's my Karen looking at me saying "Why are you running around like a mad woman" Oh to have her life!

What was I thinking!

I don't know if I'm the only one out there that does this. I have a tendency of overdoing things. Then it takes me forever to organize my life. I have now joined about a dozen KAL's and or Swaps. I have no idea how I'm going to keep up with all of this. I'm new to the blog world so I got a little excited when I saw how many crazy knitters there are out there. No one in my world understands my knitting needs. Everyone in blogland does! Then I learned about Ravelry. OH BOY. Now I can't keep off of it. There's millions of us! So on Ravelry comes the swaps and KAL's. I can't say no. Now I'm up to my neck in knitting and I'm so happy. But nothing else is getting done around my house. Today's project is clearing out all the magazines I collected over the holidays. YIKES. It's like I think I'm somehow going to magically find the time to read all this stuff and then I'll make everything. Now look at one months worth of magazines.Can you believe I thought I could handle all this and the stress of the holiday? Oh, and here's just one magazine. Notice all the sticky notes. I thought I could just whip up all these recipes in my spare time. HA. And this is just one. Well, needless to say I failed. I did make a few and found some good recipes. Now I have to decide if I need to throw this away or keep. Geez. Being an adult is hard work! I should listen to my husband when he says "Simplify". But now I'm off to check Ravelry and see if there's any new patterns I must do.

Doing my civic duty

Today I had jury duty. Immediately when you hear that you say "yuck", but don't. It was absolutely wonderful. Yes, I did have to wake up early. I usually sleep in late. But when I get there they had coffee and donuts waiting for everyone. Then I had 3 1/2 hrs of uninterrupted knitting. No laundry, no dogs to take out, no dishes. They called my name and told me I could go home after I pick up my lunch in the cafeteria. WOO HOO. I'm done. Since I had to go in I don't have to go to work. I am one of the lucky ones who gets paid from work, and I get to keep my $10 the court pays me. I win all around. They can call me up for jury duty any time. I have had a busy week, my daughter turned 27. I can't believe it. So we took everyone out for Mexican and then came back here for birthday cake. It was a lot of fun. I'm back at work after having the holidays off. Now that you can say "yuck" to. And we're still busy trying to get my mom's room ready. Here's what's new in my knitting world.This is where I am on my son-in-laws scarf. Today it's 60 degrees here. I don't think he'd need it today. I started these Uptown Boot Socks from Favorite knits. I started in the SAM5 this month so I figured I better get started. Since a lot of people have already finished theirs. And finally this is the rear end of my car.Any guesses as to what it stands for?

Wearing no makeup

This is my New Years Resolution. It started when I received several of those Christmas letters that people send saying how wonderful their last year was. I'm no dummy. I could come up with several things to make my life seem idyllic, but it's not. Then I realized I post pictures that makes it look like I have my life together. I don't. I do try, but sometimes it gets messy. So, my resolution is to not post things that are perfect. Rather post what my life is really like. My house is a work in progress. We bought this 1927 Bungalow 10 yrs ago. We have made several improvements, but lots more are needed. Here's a tour of the less desirable areas.

This is my front porch. We took out the old carpet and took the paint off the walls 2 years ago. We haven't been out there since. And here's my blinds on the front porch. Feel free to enlarge picture so you can get the full effect of the dirt and grime on them. I could wash these things once a month and they'd still look like this. So, since we're not using the room, I've just let them continue their collection.

This is the spare room that we are working on. This will be my mothers room, hopefully soon. You can see my husband working. I'm taking the picture and blogging. Hah, who's got the better job?

Here's my bathroom. The wallpaper was falling down after being up only 2 yrs. I took it down thinking I would just paint. My husband, who is a perfectionist, said to wait until we can do it right. That was at least 5 yrs ago. I should have just put some paint up.

Here's the ceiling on my bathroom. Lovely, isn't it?

Oh, and here's one thing that I complain about all the time. See that dog hair? I didn't have to look far for that sample. It's all over my house. But, to be honest, I wouldn't want to live without it. It means I have happy healthy animals around me. I don't think I could ever be without them.

Finally, here's my progress on my son-in-law's scarf.

I hope you all have a very Happy New Year. Know that life is not perfect, you are normal. It's the journey that matters.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I know, I did. I finished my sisters Flared lace smoke ring. Here it is after it was finished.And here it is after she opened it and tried it on.It went together very fast after I figured out to put markers at all repeats. But before that I was having a tough time. Now for some fun stuff. I got several knitting books that I asked for.

And here's one that I didn't ask for, but I absolutely love. My youngest son is in the Marines and my son-in-law found this on Ebay and thought I would like it. I love it!
If I were to make this for Casey, he would kill me. Isn't it funny how times change? This is my next project for my son-in-law.


And to end, since I have no Grandchildren, this is a picture of my grandpuppies at my house on Christmas. Aren't they cute?

December 21st, 2007

OK, I have been looking everyday at the blogs I read and I've noticed something. Nobody blogs regularly in December. Could it be we're all too busy? Everyday I'm disappointed by the lack of blogging. But then I realized, I haven't been blogging either! I guess I'm too busy too. I'm fervently working on a lace neck warmer for my sister.I did not send out Christmas cards, I barely decorated, but I did however bake! Oh well. Today is my last day at work until the New Year. Next week my LYS has their annual sale as well as the local stamping store. So I'll be busy waiting in line!

I hope everyone has a Happy Holiday and a prosperous New Year. So we can buy lots of yarn!