This is the famous climbing area Smith Rocks - featuring Monkey Face. My office is right across the river and the climbers provide lots of interesting watching opportunities.
I've been too busy this week to be very entertained...hardly any knitting even.

But I did have a wonderful evening last night. My Mom's longest friend - they met in Kindergarden and remained close always; actually there were 9 friends (The Snotty Nine they called themselves) - Ann came through Central Oregon on her way from Northern California to Montana and stopped to have dinner with us. She is amazing - OMG she's 83 and incredible: just returned from a 34 day trip to South America - by herself!! She had a blast! Now she's driving by herself to a family event in Montana. Sharp as can be - if I didn't know how old she was I would have guessed 20 years younger! I should be so lucky. We had a great visit and laughed a lot and shared stories about my mom - sort of fitting considering Mother's Day is this weekend. I am so honored that she called and stopped for a visit.

I really didn't do much knitting this week. Only working on a hat to match the mitts, trying to use up the rest of the yarn and have a matched gift set for an cold weather bound college student. Her birthday is in August - the day school starts....so it's a perfect bday present.

College girl is home (again!) this weekend so it will be enjoyable. The weatherman says a "warm-up is on the way" - so guess that means I can work in the garden. Sounds good to me!!

The View

Work-Job is great - especially since I get to look at this most of the day - whoo hoo!!

Finished these this weekend - I think I've got enough left to do a semi matching hat.

Bird update: The little visitor (Think it's a Swallow) left when The Geek told him he only had peanuts for food....good choice!

Bird in the Geek's House

Put back together.

I actually finished last night - Doesn't it look cozy! i just love the color. I've just realized that my house is full of various shades of red-orange-terra cotta....luckily they all seem to fit!!
First day back on the job was great - over and over I heard how appreciated I was - oh that feels so good!!

Not much time for knitting now - College girl is coming home tomorrow and I've got to plan meals, go to the grocery store, do laundry, etc., etc.....Oh - act like a mom for a change? But I will have time for knitting tonight - Grey's Anatomy is back on tonight - bliss!
TTFN!!

A BIG DAY!

I got up early this morning and decided to paint my office - which means moving all this....

I didn't even get dressed first - painting in my PJs! I couldn't finish because I have to move my heavy L-shaped desk away from the wall....so because I couldn't find the right color combo or weight out of this mess....
I decided to go into town for my knitting group a little early to break the rules. "Do not knit wrist warmers if you have to buy yarn." I did manage to start these the night before without breaking the rules.....
But then I got the call! THE JOB IS MINE!!!! The job I've patiently waited for for 5 years, the job I worked at earlier this winter while the previous person was on vacation....it all worked out - she retired! I cannot tell you how excited I am - this will be my last job - I will work here til I can't work anymore...I'm SOOOOO looking forward to peace of mind, work that I enjoy, work that makes a difference, work that is appreciated (and pays pretty good too), work that I've waited a long time for. WHOO HOO!! I start tomorrow.

So before knitting group I did go stash enhancing - just a few colors of Lambs Pride for mitten and hat gifts. I totally deserve it and didn't feel guilty one little bit. OMG I can go the Black Sheep Gathering now!!! Amazing how your whole attitude changes when you have an income that you can count on!

Knitting group was fun as always - there is such an impressive array of knitting going on. It is fun to have a new knitter share her first finished pair of socks and enthusiastically start another. We had a little refreshment and sustenance too of course.
And showed off socks too - I'm in the middle with my Sockapalooza socks - everyone admired the totally cool heel.

Now I'm waiting for the paint to dry to I can do the final coat (A neighbor graciously moved the desk for me) I've got to get this finished because there won't be time this weekend - College Girl is coming home and it will be too busy around here to paint etc.

Knit Peace!!

Is this some kind of joke?

It's April! You've got to be kidding! No gardening for me today - darn I'll have to knit!

Re-creation

Well that was an interesting adventure....Somehow when I was trying to add the new link for the Fiber Arts Ring to my sidebar - I erased my entire blog template - down to the insertion point. Away went all my favorite places, buttons, the works - all gone from my custom blog template. This required that I recreate - using the latest Blogger updates etc....supposed to be easier to customize now. We will see. It has some advantages - but if I really want it like the old one I still have to tweak the html code and I'm not sure I remember how to do all that.

I'm sure I'm missing some important links on my "Inspiration" list - I'll keep adding as I remember where I've been (I tried looking in my history but it I think I emptied it last week - of course)!

I had planned to finish these today - sitting in front of the TV with a good fire going as it was snowing outside...it's April! I am tired of this for sure. I did get them finished and they will go into the future gift stash.

Please bare (or is it Bear) with Me

I was updating my blog - inserting new control for the Fiber Arts Ring - and lost it all.....all my links, buttons, lists, etc.....so am spending my Sunday trying to recreate - this sucks!!!

No Work - Lots of Knitting

My chair side - all the essentials; coffee, knitting projects and the remote - what a way to spend the day! Opps - coffee is out of range!

Starting at the top - Plain Jane Pink socks and my wonderful Pirates Bag. These are my carry- with-me essentials. Next clockwise, is another Forest Canopy Shawl - Anne in the Mediterranean Sunset colorway - picture doesn't do it justice. Maybe this is better....This is just one of my favorite all time patterns. Wish I had more guts to branch out to other lace - but this just always fits the bill. I have to confess that I did do some stash enhancement awhile back (See below for "Why in the &$! did I do this) - but it was on sale at Little Knits - and it was just right. It will go into the future gift stash.

Next is the Hearty Strippy socks from a Ravelry free pattern. Gosh it was easy to get hooked on Ravelry!

The last project no longer exists....I was trying to do the Lace Ribbon Scarf with Knit Picks Andean Silk - but although I didn't cast on the full amount - I didn't like the way it was progressing. I really want to knit a gift scarf with this yarn - it is so soft - but just can't come up with the right combination! I do have plenty of sock weight stash to do this pattern so there is no problem there!

I have so much time because I am again temporarily out of work, that will change in a few weeks I think - but nothing is for sure of course. I wasn't very prepared this time and am really stretching the cash to get by day to day...why does this keep happening to me! (It's what I get for being in business for myself) It is always a matter of circumstances (including doing my job to well!) and beyond my control. There is lots of unavoidable drama going on at work due to budget cuts - but when it's all said and done I am confident I will be working my dream job full time and then some! Keep your fingers crossed. In the meantime I knit and while the weather transitions to Spring I get my garden ready for summer! Life is interesting and good!

It’s not what you think….

Oregon that is. Most people immediately think of beautiful old growth Douglas Fir forests when they think of Oregon. But in reality – 2/3rds of the state is high desert. East of the Cascade Mountain range is high plateau sagebrush flats dotted with ancient Junipers. (Click on the pictures so you can see them better if you'd like!) Driving north from Central Oregon to the Columbia River Gorge is a beautiful route through this area. It is 120 miles from Redmond to the Columbia River (I went this way to avoid the snow over the pass on Mt.Hood) and in my estimate it is one of the prettiest drives in the state. I think because I love the ‘big sky’ and the vistas. On a clear day the Cascades frame the route on the west; and the east is a never ending horizon of sage brush.

The highway roams through a few very small farming communities – including historic Shaniko – home of the Imperial Ranch. (They have great yarn!!) The fields are just now being plowed for spring planting – although as you get closer to the Columbia some are lawn like in their lush spring sprouts. I tried to imagine what life in an earlier time would be like on this windswept landscape. What bounties did the Northern Paiute find here, why did the settlers pick the places they did.

Even The journals of Lewis and Clark briefly note the Columbia Plateau. On Sept. 18, 1805, Clark wrote: “...from the top of a high part of the mountains…I had a view of an emence Plain and leavel country to the SW. & West.” After their difficult crossing of the Bitterroot Mountains, the sight of the plain “greatly relieved the spirits of the party,”

Now there is a different kind of ‘farming’ activity – totally cool!

The mighty Columbia Gorge – carved by the Montana floods, celebrated by Lewis and Clark, the lifeblood of the Pacific Northwest. Interstate 84 is right at river level so all kinds of activities are observed. Incredible waterfalls, barges full of Northwest bounty travel up and down the river – as well as busy train tracks (Eskimo Pie!) on both sides. What was the river like before the dams at The Dalles and Bonneville. What a shame for the Native American’s to lose their cultural fishing sites and how did Lewis and Clark feel when they exclaimed " Ocian in view! !! The joy." (This is another 40 miles beyond Portland, where I was headed)

The trip is a little longer this way, but the extra time is well spent enjoying the scenery and imagining a different time. Each time I go this way – I say “who am I kidding…move to Portland and be hemmed in and not see this every day? No way!”

On the way home a few days later – same route – I made a little stop here. I did not buy anything!! I am proud of myself – but will definitely stop again! I really wanted this - it had my name written all over it. Maybe next time.

My Notebook

I have been keeping a knitting journal since since 1991 - about the time I really got into knitting again. There is very little noted between 1995 and 2000. I've written the basic info about each project; the pattern, the yarn, the gauge (sometimes), the recipient, and stuck in the ball band most of the time. Today I decided to tally it all up....

• 35 pairs of socks (All since 2002)
  
• 16 scarves
• 29 sweaters (lots of childrens sizes)
• 20 hats
• 8 mittens
• 3 shawls

It's been fun to look back and see how the journey has progressed and where my life was going. I can tell by what kinds of things I knit - early on lots of children's sweaters, now socks! With Raverly and this blog I find I don't keep as good a set of notes - must do that!!

Now I have two more things to add...Synesthesia Socks - a Ravelry find. The yarn is Some Assembly Required - Kiwi.

And a camera cozy for my sister. This is STR Fairgrounds - left over from a pair of socks last year and a few Preemie Beanies....and I've still got some left over.
Both these yarns arrived in my stash via the Sisterhood of the Traveling Stash. I've made good use of my finds there.

Had a great breakfast this morning with the big kids at a place called Chow - great name and really wonderful food! I have a few days (I hope it's only a few) off of work this week - so am heading over the mountains to the big city to help get my Dad's house cleaned up before he comes home from the Desert next month. Will visit with College Girl too. REI Girl will be house/dog/cat sitting while I'm gone - how come is it that now that the kids are all gone - I'm the one tied down with the family pets!! Not that I don't love them because I sure do - especially since they don't talk back!

Another Finished!

Another project leaves the basket for good! Clapotis - Interlacements Ric Rac. When did I start this - I can't remember but I've had the yarn for almost 2 years....so it's been on the needles way to long. I don't know if I'll keep this or put it in the gift stash. I am liking it - but not sure it's really me. Time will tell.

I am really enjoying my new knitting group - I am so impressed with the projects that are flying off everyones needles. It's fun seeing new projects and techniques being learned. (Tamra thanks for sharing your goodies tonight - yum!) We are such a diverse group - and lots of beautiful creations!

This is theoretically my last week at my temp fill in job - but I am almost positive the status will be changing by the end of the week - stay tuned - but I'm about to be a happy full time employed superstar!! I've waited years for this to work out and it's about to - hurray. (Less knitting time - but maybe more yarn cash!)

I am definitely anxiously awaiting spring....In Oregon you have to have your studded tires off by April 1st - it always snows on March 31st. So like a good girl I got the tires changed on College Girls tires while she was 'vacationing' in California.....then it snowed, froze, etc. Then the state extended the deadline till next week. Luckily I didn't get my own tires changed. But College Girl had to over the pass yesterday on her old tires - in the slush and ice. I never time it right it seems. She made it back to campus fine of course. Last week was Oregon Spring break so there was lot's of 'going home' traffic. Now I've just got to find time to get my tires changed. Why is the mom always last?

They say spring is coming by the end of the week - Pumpkin will be glad - he won't have to sleep under the lamp on my desk anymore!!

A Happy Happy Easter

Whew - I'm exhausted but had a great weekend. (guess what...?) My Sister and her family were here for the holiday festivities and we had a lot of fun. We had a girls (us moms and REI Girl and my niece Hillary) day out on Saturday - a little shopping in Bend and a road trip. We went to visit an Alpaca Farm - her daughter is taking a photography class and needed some 'landscape' photo ops - then out to where I work - it was a picture perfect day. (REI Girl is going to...) I was really good - they have a beautiful Boutique on site but I didn't buy any yarn - but picked some out for next time. The baby Alpaca's are so cute!We had a great dinner on Sunday where The Geek joined us -gosh it was good to see him! We lamented the absence of the two College Girls but still had a lot of fun.

I want to mention an incredible event - REI Girl has been planning to go to Africa - but it was iffy whether she could save enough by July-August when all had to be paid for before she goes in November - but a wonderful friend from work surprised her - and BOUGHT HER TICKET!!! OMG what an incredible thing for this young man to do (just a good friend). She spent the day Friday in tears so overcome by his generosity. She couldn't even personally thank him - he's off back country skiing for 9 days! She will be paying him back of course, but still. This is a poor college student who works his butt off! Another friend has volunteered to loan her anything else she needs too! I am so honored by what these people are doing to help my daughter! A lot of people at REI are going to help with donations for the Orphanage where she will be working. And my knitting group is going to be sending socks and hats for all the kids. Needless to say all weekend we kept saying - "guess what - you're going to Africa!" This has been a dream of hers for years so she can hardly sit still now - she'll (me too!) will be a wreck by the time November rolls around!

I didn't get much knitting done - but hopefully this week will be quiet so might accomplish quite a bit. I'm not going to be traveling far - the water pump went out on my car this afternoon- good thing College Girl left her car here when she went to California for Spring Break with the Boyfriends (She still claims he's not The Boyfriend) Family!
So here's to a week when it should get warmer and more spring like - hurray!!

I need a mom-nurse and another project complete

No I'm not sick - but College Girl is...this is a bit involved and maybe not related but - a week ago at the college dining hall she bit down and found a piece of glass in her desert. Glass shattered and she thought she got it all out. (College is accepting responsibility - no problem there) later that evening she felt a very sore spot in throat and since clinics where all closed I suggested she go to ER. I figured if it was a piece of glass stuck - she better get it out before it got infected. While there they used a fiber-optic device which they first inserted in her mouth and down her throat, then up her nostril and then the other nostril. NEVER ONCE CLEANING THE DEVICE! Not after they brought it into the exam room or between mouth and nostril - not once! Is this OK?

They never found anything. Next day she discovers ONE white spot on the side of her throat. Throat still had a sore spot that she could feel, but not where spot was. Next day she is home and I take her to our Doc - he says white spot can be normal, no fever, probably just fine.

Last night (at school) she had high fever, sweaty, goosebumps, delirious, headache, lost her dinner (Plain rice because she wasn't feeling well) etc. This morning she feels fine. But last night really scared her - she said she couldn't wake up and talk well...so I'm a little concerned. I told her if her fever spikes again to get herself to Hospital or clinic ASAP (of course campus clinic not open on weekends)...am I being paranoid? I'm just a little concerned about procedure with scope at Hospital - seems a little sloppy to me. I'm sure she'll be fine but I could use a mom-nurse(my mom was a nurse which was real handy)!

I have been knitting on two color socks - trying to learn to carry both colors in one hand - since I knit continental - this is working well. The brown pair are Laila's Socks from Folk Knitting in Estonia - I'll do these again - maybe more colorful next time. But remember I'm just using stash these days so my options are currently limited!

The red and white socks are Hearty-Stripy from a Ravelry contributor. I like these too. I'm really trying to stock up the gift stash with socks....I don't want to leave anyone out when Christmas rolls around next year!


Winter is back in Central Oregon again - happens every year - just when we have to take the studded tires off our cars! Lots of snow in the mountains, but hopefully roads will be clear by next week when College girl comes home for spring break.

Have been very productive today - GOT TAXES FILED - WaaHooooo! Refund is on it's way and not a moment to soon - my water heater is on it's last legs - one short shower is all it will produce! I think I'm tired of being a homeowner! Seriously - if it weren't for the market I'd sell and downsize. Wishful thinking I'm afraid.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week - looking forward to seeing all my new friends at Knitting Meet-up!

Knit Knot Tree

You must check this out!

Quick

Just a quick post.....College Girl is home for the weekend. We are having a nice visit - it's fun having a kid around.
Have been working on these socks...love the yarn....the pattern has YO's and I keep forgetting them, so this is definitely a think about pattern. It's in Raverly under Synesthesia Socks. These will go in the gift stash.
The yarn is Some Assembly Required - Not so Light in the Kiwi colorway.

This is the Belle Starr hat I did awhile back and forgot to post about...wish I'd done one more pattern repeat, it's a little short. To the Gift Stash it goes.


Need to find a mindless project for Knit night - but need to finish something first. Can't have too many WIP!!!
Happy Weekend!

Knitting Group

I went to a new Knitting Group tonight and had a blast....not only because of the knitting but I also met up with an old friend - all because of Raverly - where I checked out other knitters from my area and then stumbled on the knitting group that had just formed. Then I commented on a sweater I liked that was in a Raverly users project list - she replied and it turns out I used to work with her years ago....and she was at the group tonight. Knitting does stitch us together!!
The group is a great mix of young and old, experienced and learning knitters. We enjoyed a glass of wine and shared our projects. Wow I was very impressed. Beautiful and creative - very inspiring. I wore my Forest Canopy Shawl and got lots of compliments. I got to see the latest sock and yarn from the STR sock club - oh my gosh it is beautiful. Don't know the color name - but it's a must have if they every make it available. There were lots of really cute baby sweaters, a spectacular shawl, cute hats, wonderful scarves and really nice ladies!
All in all I had a great time and can't wait to go next week.

Join - be careful not to twist....

OK - what has 90,000 registered users, of which 49,000 have been logged on in the last 7 days and over 6000 on a waiting list........Ravelry....duh. OK I joined. Oh my gosh I had no idea it was so addictive. I spent the better part of yesterday just fooling around. I found tons of stuff I want to knit, met some new friends, found a local Knitting Group, admired lots of creative projects....on and on. Kudos to the creators - it's amazing!

In the process of trying to update this blog (add the Ravelry button) I discovered the new template stuff - which I didn't do because I didn't want to lose what I have - has anyone updated Blogger to the latest version - what will I lose? What about all my photos in my posts and all my buttons etc....

Also how come my Flickr badge doesn't have my latest photos.....only has the ones I uploaded when I added the badge to my blog sidebar.

I need a geek (I have one who is too tech to help his poor tech challenged mom!)

I hope to actually do some knitting today - but it's beautiful outside and hopefully I can tear myself away from the computer to get out there! But I've got a few things to look up first!

From my window.....

The Three Sisters - Faith, Hope and Charity. Brought to you by a beautiful Feb 29th! The sun is shinning, I'm working and enjoying it, kids are happy and I've got socks on my needles - what else can I say. Life is good.

Back to Reading

I’ve been meaning to write about my reading adventures lately – Yes I do other things besides knit!!!

I have recently read: Eat, Pray, Love; The Geography of Bliss; Knit Lit too; and am now reading Boom!!

I loved Eat, Pray Love – not only entertaining, but insightful and inspiring. Although the author had time and money to travel and explore – somehow that makes a big difference! It is definitely a good read.

The Geography of Bliss is an analysis of the Happiest countries – it is funny, surprising and full of wonderful quotes and studies. Eric Weiner is a journalist for NPR and writes really well. I am completely enjoying this book.

Boom! by Tom Brokaw is really interesting – the book as you may know is about the 60’s – and as I was a college student and very affected by the events of the day, this book is really interesting. (My college was the first woman’s college to go on strike – it ruined the usual graduation ceremony!) The book gives a bigger picture of the times and brings lots of events into better perspective for me. He interviews many of the players of the day and the ‘man on the street.’ Overall it is a book I must read slowly and think about. I’ve always had a not so secret crush on Tom so it was a must read!

Knit Lit too was really fun – I always enjoy hearing other fiber junkies write about their lives. Some of the stories are so poignant. I hate it when I finish a book like this – can’t wait for more!

Oh – I also have another WIP off the needles! I really like this scarf…will sample it for a few days and then probably put it away for a future gift. I did knit a few rows on the Celtic Cardigan (when am I going to finish this and quit talking about it!) Then I started a new pair of socks. I’m really working out of my stash (can’t afford to do anything else). This is a Nancy Bush pattern I copied out of a book a long time ago - can't remember which one - but am enjoying it.

The girls were here for dinner tonight and then we went to see 27 Dresses - what fun - we laughed out loud!!

I am happy to report that the recipient of the Baby Norgi sweater arrived this evening - after considerable effort I understand!! Welcome to Lauren Kathleen!! A true buckarette!!

The Weather keeps changing

College Girl is home for a week! I spent last Wed/Thur worrying about how she was going to get here - considering that the pass was closed twice because of Avalanches.....and closed again today and they say it won't be open again for a few days! The other pass was clogged with traffic and more snow than they've seen in years. So needless to say she came around the very long way - up the valley, up the Columbia River Gorge and then down through Central Oregon. She was just between storm warnings on this side of the Cascades and she made it just in time - hurray...now the question is will she get back next weekend!

We've had back to back major snow storms - but unfortunately Redmond is just enough east of the Cascades that we don't get a lot - on the other hand - Bend (13) miles away got a ton! What wimps - they even canceled school one day last week - it was just snow not ice!! But all is now well.

REI Girl came and spent the night last night and I got one of my favorite moments this morning - two sleepy girls sitting at the kitchen counter teasing each other about how wonderful they look! Simple pleasures!

Today is catch up day (since I worked yesterday - 6 days a week -whew!). My laundry, housework and the dreaded bill paying process. Then I'll be sitting down to watch Superbowl commercials and working some more on this....The girls think it is too 'grandma' - I don't! I'd like to figure out some pretty fringe - but no beads - that will make it too heavy I think - plus they'd get lost! Then I've got to figure out a new project- oh yea - I could go back to the Celtic Cardigan couldn't I? Well see!!

I got a call from the recipient of the Norgi Baby Sweater - she was so sweet (Baby is due tomorrow!) It was very gratifying to knit a gift that I knew would be special and appreciated. This is the first Grandchild in my group of friends (We were 'older' mothers) so it's a pretty special event! I'll be awaiting the call from Grandma Jill!

Enjoy your week!!

I had help!

Pumpkin came in from the snow to help me finish these socks. The yarn is Rio de la Plata from Uruguay....nice to knit with. The pattern is the Tidal Wave again - easy peasy to memorize. I made these for a friend of REI girl. REI Girl has been going through the typical January depressive episode - pretty difficult this time. REI friend has been there and has been very appreciated. Since we've had real winter weather recently - I thought warm socks were a good thank you! REI Girl is doing much much better - I think we are through the worst of it - but it's been a scary few weeks to say the least. Huge crys and adjusted meds seem to be working. Good - I need a good nights sleep!

This snow arrived today - hurray - we finally got some here instead of just Bend. It's pretty wet so I'm sure tomorrows drive to work will be exciting to say the least. I have to admit that I love it - next place I live will have to have more! Everyone has been complaining about how cold it's been... -2 in the mornings last week. It just makes me feel old because I start telling stories about when I moved here in 1972 - we had -25! Now that's cold. I also remember a winter when the kids were little that there was snow on the ground - Thanksgiving thru March - it was great. I can feel global warming. It's definitely changed in my lifetime!
So now I'm going to work on a scarf (the angora one) for me - or maybe it will be put away for gifting later....I'm going to be prepared for next Christmas - yea right!
Good week all!!

I am on a roll

Three things completed in 4 days - oh my gosh this is a record. They were all almost finished anyway. These are STR medium weight - it think the color is Metomorphis? Something like that. Pattern is Tidal Wave. I did cast on 56 stitches since the yarn is thicker than called for - worked out fine. These were my Weight Watcher socks - since I'm not going anymore I decided to finish them...I know - but I just can't afford the meetings anymore - but promise I am still on the program. Since I don't own a scale I don't know for sure if I've lost more - but clothes are fitting better - must mean something!

So tonight it's clean up my knitting area - put all the ball ends away, sort the patterns and choose a new scarf for that Pink Angora/Wool blend. Since it has been soooo cold - I should try to finish it quickly so I can use it this winter!

One More Down - Hurray!

Another off the needles! REI Girl gave this yarn to me for Christmas - to knit something to match the jacket all the kids gave me (The Jacket is the Red-Orange color). So Convertible mittens it was - the yarn is Alpaca sock weight - so these are really comfy. Almost wish I'd done a scarf because I've got a lot left - hummm what can I find to go with it?

Now I only have three UFO's left to go - the question is will I work on them or start something else? I'll go investigate my knitting basket and see what I can find!
So this picture isn't really about the Swan family (Mom, Dad and Cygnet) that has taken up residence at the Ranch - but if you look at the raft of Canada Geese and the last one on the left - a case of identity crisis - this little Snow Goose has been hanging out with the Canadians for a few weeks now - never quite in the group - but not leaving their bunch! Poor guy I think he must be lost! Good place to be lost that's for sure.

Need I say any more! Whew!!

I can't believe I did it! Steeks, facings - the works - it's finished!


The next project - a scarf of some kind. The pictures don't do the color justice - but with the Angora it is soooo soft.

And the mittens are one thumb shy of finished also. I had a total fiber day!!

Life is good! I’m loving working full time (love the paycheck even more!), the job is fun, challenging and I know I’m making a difference. The boss reminds me of that often – it is so nice to hear that you are appreciated! But I have been so busy I’ve hardly knit a stitch – actually I didn’t knit a stitch for three days as I had a huge project to get finished – of course all spur of the moment and unexpected. But it got completed and presented to the powers that be – if all goes well we will be back in the “preservation ranch” business. Which means a long time job – yea.

Speaking of jobs – REI girl (I’ve decided to rename the kids – Morgan is “The Geek”, Molly is “REI Girl” and Marianne is “College Girl” – silly isn’t it!) – she is expecting to be hired full-time. Her interviewees told her it was the ‘best interview’ they’d ever done and ‘would she be around for at least 6 months?’ All this is a huge boost to her self esteem – something is finally really working out for her. As they say “you are only as happy as your unhappiest child” – so I am happy happy happy! She will be able to keep her apartment, keep busy and work on her life! If she wants to go back to school (I think she does) she can take a few classes in the evening next fall. This could really work out for her and I’m so pleased for her – even if it doesn’t , the comments from her bosses were terrific!

I braved the icy roads last night and went to dinner at The Geeks – REI Girl was there too. It was so nice just to spend a little time with the ‘big kids’ – that doesn’t happen very often so it was very special. We’ve had real winter weather recently – actually Bend and the Cascades has had winter weather – Redmond which is only 15 miles away has escaped most of it – unfortunately because I love the snow.

Not the Ice which really coated the highway last night – but studs and four wheel drive get me most places! But I do hate the ice – I’m actually more worried about the other guy who’s not paying attention and who thinks because he drives a big SUV he can go anywhere! The weatherman says another storm is lined up for the weekend.

Great - I will just hole up and knit. I plan to finish the Norgi sweater – just have to put it all together. Picture when I’m finished. Also since I haven’t been going to Weight Watchers I can finish those socks – picture then too. Have been working on the mittens and am on the palm of the second one – yes pictures will be coming soon. I’ve got future projects in mind too – Central Park Hoodie for College Girl. I was going to do it in Brown Sheep Lambs Pride – but was thinking if I could find a good ‘washable’ that might be better for her – any suggestions? I’m afraid it would get tossed into the dorm laundry! I also want to do another scarf or something for me – the kids gave me a new jacket for Christmas and I don’t have a thing to go with it – darn – just what I need – another excuse to buy yarn…maybe I should look at the stash first! Oh I just remembered I have some really pretty pink something I got last summer – it has lots of other colors in it that might work with my jacket. Oh dear another project. Oh fun – I can use the swift!! I am so easily entertained!

Well I’ve got enough wood split and plenty of fiber projects to keep me busy - so the weekend looks great. Hope all of yours is the same.

Remind me to blog about the books I’ve just read – “This I Believe” and “Eat, Pray, Love” – both wonderful – oh yea- “Knit Lit too”

You Are a Christmas Sweater!

Over the top, colorful, and totally flashy. You're not afraid to be a little tacky.

What Crappy Christmas Gift Are You?

I've always wanted to knit a Christmas sweater - maybe next year - yea right!

Chillin in the New Year

College Girl collects snowmen and loves to bake – so here is Frosty – just chillin! She made three of these for various holiday festivities…one for practice, one for my book club dinner and one for the first night the family was all here. He had to reside in the fridge between creation and tasting – otherwise he fell apart at the seams!

Christmas was lots of fun – but definitely package and mess overload! Oh my gosh there were a lot of packages. Included was a beautiful yarn swift (yea!!!) and some delicious Alpaca sock yarn. The colors in the yarn really match the new jacket the kids got me – so instead of socks it will become mittens for me! My yarn – my mittens. Darn - I'll have to knit a new scarf too! Pictures soon.

Having 7 extra people living here was challenging – am now just getting things put back together. The tree comes down tomorrow and the rest of the Christmas stuff gets packed away before college girl goes back to school next Sunday. I need help putting the boxes up on the high shelves. I hate to see it go – especially the tree. It smells so nice.

The kids had a lot of fun together – we are so lucky the cousins are all such good friends. They compared college adventures, played games, shopped and had a good time. I enjoyed being with my siblings – nice to have brother here to put in my new microwave – saw it on sale so cheap I had to get it for myself with my bonus from work. It matches the stove and helps to update the tired kitchen.

Started back to work full-time right after Christmas – now that was a challenge. Having to get up early and actually be ready to face the day….having almost 6 months off from going to a regularly scheduled day was a gift – but now back to the real world as I keep telling the kids!

I do have some pretty specific New Year’s resolutions – I will stick to them too! – 1) Continue to work at Weight Watchers – I’ve been successful (After Christmas clothes shopping was very satisfying – I needed work outfits!) so no reason not to keep going; 2) get more exercise – I really want to ride my bike. I ran into an old friend the other day – she had just finished a ride. I told her I’d join her when the weather got a little warmer – it was only 14 this morning so don’t think it’s an immediate thing. 3) Become a more detailed knitter – be more careful and rip out my mistakes if necessary. Learn to finish more professionally. Obviously I like the hand knit look – but not the messy hand knit part! My knitting looks nice to others – but I always find flaws that are just sloppy work – you know – you’re almost finished and you hurry through the last steps. Well no more of that for me! I also will pay more attention to the pattern and to fitting with EPS. I’ve done it before and it worked out perfectly. I just need to remind myself of that! And 4) GET OUT THERE!! Really, I need more of a life with friends, so will work at that too.

Am looking forward to having a great year, enjoying my family (I’m so glad middle daughter is living close by and comes by often to hang out! And Son is remembering to call his mom more often – love it!), enjoying my job (I do!) and staying in touch with my blogging buddies! Happy New Year to all!

Just have a moment to remind the world that I'm still alive...just been really busy. Had a flurry of work related activities that kept me flying for a few weeks. Now the big wait is on. But will be working full time again right after Christmas - for at least a few months. I'd better explain...I've worked part-time for the last five years (usually in addition to a regular full time job) for a developer. Really work as his personal assistant on projects outside the development..including managing his photo library and working on research on a book he is writing. I also fill in on occasion for his full time office manager when she is gone on vacation - which in the past has been up to a month at a time. Well she's off again for two-three months and I'm going to fill in. The other development project is in a slump again while we wait for the State of Oregon to decide how to handle stupid laws that uninformed voters voted for. But by the time the two-three month gig is up - the other should be back in full swing...so looks like I'll be busy -
Whoo Hoo!

Have been working on the Christmas decorations - all the family will be here this year - and tomorrow is the tree day. College girl is home for the holidays so we can finally get that done.

I've done almost all my shopping (remember my vow not to knit gifts this year....lied, but forgot to take a picture of the hat I knit, but you can check it out here)

I've wrapped everything and sent stuff away to my Dad in California - I sent his girl friend the Autumn Canopy Shawl and him one of those digital picture frames..wow is it cool. I loaded it with family pictures that I collected from my brother and sister and all the kids. It was really fun and I know that he'll like it.

I've got the master grocery shopping list completed for the Christmas Eve dinner (our big family meal), Christmas day breakfast and all the leftover feasting...I'm organized!

Next week is Christmas shopping with College girl, haircuts, doctor appointments, work meetings and getting ready for the onslaught to begin next Sunday when there will be 10 people living in my house for a few days!!! College girl has prepared me for the changes - her stuff is of course everywhere - piles of laundry, scattered shoes in hallways and stuff all over the kitchen counter...Oh I love it!!!

I have been knitting (got the hat finished) a little in the evenings - working on the Norgi sweater - I'm on the second sleeve. Have decided that I want to do the Central Park Hoodie for College girl - I may have to make a stop at the LYS for her to pick out the color!

So I anticipate that this will be the last post til after the New Year. I will be thinking about all of you....Annie I am wondering if you got hit with the snow and ice? Rhonda - so sorry about the Gloucester fire....Roxie - oh those hot tropical nights! and Pat - wish I could motivate myself to walk as often as you do, my WW efforts would be more successful I'm sure, but I'm down 15 pounds - 5 short of my Christmas goal, but I'll get there!

I do hope that everyone has the best Christmas ever and that you all enjoy your families and that Santa brings you all fiberly wonderfulness!!