Blogging has taken a backseat to life

A friend of mine just recently sent me a link to her blog about knitting and gardening. Of course I went to look at it, and this triggered me to check out my own blog. I figured it had been maybe 6 months since I've posted anything... ha! Come to find out it's been almost exactly 1 year since my last post. Time flies, seriously. They (whoever "they" are) say that as you get older time seems to go more quickly, and I buy into that completely! A little too fast sometimes...

I have no excuse for my blogging absence through about mid-summer. That was just plain negligence on my part. But, since the beginning of August, life has been non-stop it seems. Two vacations in August (a week or so in the Outer Banks of NC, followed by a cruise on the Norwegian Dawn!) and then back to some serious work on the house in preparation for putting it on the market. Weekends in September were spent painting, cleaning, etc. and finally toward the end of October we put our house on the market. We had one (long) weekend off for a trip to visit my husband's grandparents in Florida -- we did more traveling in that three month period that I usually get to do in three years!

Selling a house is very very stressful. Even once you're "ready" to put the house on the market, it's a constant job to keep up with the cleaning and preparation for house showing appointments and Open House, etc. House hunting is also extremely stressful, but is fun! We received and accepted an offer on our house in early January, and less than 3 weeks later we made an offer on a house that we both fell in love with. The stressful times did not end there -- we had a few "difficulties" with the chimney and the roof and the furnace on our old house, and almost weren't able to follow-through with the contract on the new house because of this crap. But, in the end, we made it!!

However, before we had our closings, but after the better part of the kinks were worked out, I had some unexpected medical issues of my own that landed me in the hospital for a few days in mid-February. Made it through that, then March is my "hell month" at work, and I ended up having to take three days off in the middle of the month for the big move. We finally closed on our houses on March 14, just about 1 month ago!! The closings themselves went well, but the physical moving of our belongings from the old house to the new house was a nightmare. But, we're in our new house now, and I absolutely love it. The house itself is great, much larger and roomier than the old house. I'm loving the quiet and the fresh air, and passing fields of horses and cows on my commute to work every day. And we have quite a bit of land up here in the country, and like my friend who's blogging about gardening I've started to think about where my garden will go, and what veggies I'll be planting! My grandfather is coming sometime this week to plow out my garden, then we'll see how my "black" thumb fares in the garden.

As for knitting -- now that the house is fairly well set up, I actually picked up my knitting earlier this week for the first time in at least a month and a half!! Prior to the move, there was a project I had been working diligently on. It was a lace project (a rectangular shawl that I'd actually planned on using as a table runner) using lace weight yarn for the first time -- I was motoring along, getting pretty good with the pattern and BOOM: I caught a mistake!! I'd been pretty careful about checking my stitch count at each row and somehow I screwed up, and ended up trying to fix the mistake in multiple ways (for multiple hours) but with the intricacy of the pattern and the delicacy of the yarn, I ended up turning a small mistake into a complete DISASTER and, I won't lie, I sort of lost my knitting steam for quite some time. I was very disappointed and angry and, well, pissed off!! I tried frogging back but with all of the yarn overs and 3 stitch decreases in the pattern I quickly lost the whole thing. Ugh. It makes me nauseous to think about it now, and this occurred back in January! I threw the project back in the knitting bag, and it's still there to this day. I haven't had the heart yet to completely frog it, and I think it'll be quite some time before I have the heart to cast on for that project once more (if I ever do).

I'm currently working on a throw blanket that eventually will get "thrown" over the rocking chair in our new den. Ironically I picked out the yarn and color (it's Bernat Softee Chunky in "Soft Taupe") and gave my husband the details for my "wishlist" at Christmas time, well before we found our new house and bought our new furniture -- turns out, it's a perfect complement to the furniture in the room. Who knew -- knitting ESP! The pattern I'm using is from Knitty.com and is called Totally Autumn. I like this pattern. It's a relatively easy lace knitting pattern that you can pretty much follow while watching TV, and since that seems to be pretty much when I end up knitting! I'll get a picture up here eventually (maybe next year?).

I think that pretty much covers it. There was some other knitting since last year (up through about January when the knitting disaster struck), but nothing major that I can think of! I hope that now that we're settled I can start back into my knitting once again!

Knitting updates

Some things I've been working on since Christmas or so - -

Following the purple bag that I knit for my sister in law (and subsequently kept for myself... I'm selfish like that), I decided to begin a similar bag in a light tan color yarn that my mother gave me. It has no label, but I suspect it's a wool blend. It's an interesting color because it looks tan from a distance, but up close the yarn is composed of many pastel colors. Here's what it looks like in it's current state (it's been a dormant WIP for quite a while):


Another long dormant project of mine are the Lion's Brand Magic Stripes socks (this time in a blue/purple colorway) as shown below.


As you can see, sock 1 is almost complete. I've had a hard time finishing what I've started since becoming employed!

Here's a project I actually finished:

It looks sort of funky in this picture, but it's a basic hat knit for myself with some Lion's Brand Wool-Ease. Not surprisingly, I started knitting matching gloves, finished one of them, and moved on without finishing the second. Knitting ADHD in action (or, more appropriately, inaction)!

Next up, with my new found yarnbuying freedom (relatively speaking) I allowed myself the pleasure of ordering some Noro Kureyon from supercrafty! for another Booga Bag (color #180). Here's a peak:

It's relatively done, except the straps but I've actually been working on it so it may be done before next year. Exciting!

My current actively active project is the Candle Flame Shawl from the KnitPicks website, using KnitPicks Shimmer yarn (as shown in the sample pictures on the website, Turquoise Splendor). I chose this color not because it was the color shown, but because it reminds me of the water, specifically the ocean.

It was a bit of a challenge, as I began the shawl once last summer and got about midway through the first repeat (around row 15 I think of 36 rows) when it got put aside due to frustration. I was having a difficult time visually following the chart (which, back then, charted across all 97 stitches, which made it very easy to get lost). Then, I picked it back up a few weeks ago and realized that I had made a very fatal error way back when... instead of knitting the purls and purling the knits on the wrong side, I was knitting and purling following the chart (which makes more SENSE, but whatever). So the pattern on the little bit that I had completed was all wrong. I knew that I would not be able to live with not having followed the pattern and that it would bother me for eternity, and so instead of just plowing on and completing all 70 inches of this mammoth beast, I ripped it out entirely. KnitPicks adjusted the pattern and consequently adjusted the chart so that it could easily be knit as a skinnier scarf and is therefore much easier to follow. I'm well into the second repeat and going well! I was unsure that I'd have the stamina to complete it, as the first go through on the repeat took me FOREVER. However it seems to be rolling along quite quickly now that I've gotten a handle on the pattern. I'm very pleased with it thus far.


I'd like to have it done by mid-May to wear to a wedding. However, if that goal is found to be unattainable, my next goal is to have it done by August to bring on our CRUISE!! We're heading off in August to the Bahamas and Bermuda on a 7 night cruise on the Norwegian Dawn. It's the first cruise for my husband and I. For years my parents wanted to have a big family cruise because they've enjoyed several cruises over the years. It'll be my first time in a place with crystal clear turquoise waters and all of that... and I cannot wait!!

6 months later...

I'm about to Lose my Marbles. Hazard of the job, I guess. The job is going well, not to mention busy. It's a busy time of year for me (and for the teachers as well) and being that it's my first shot at organizing all of these things called Annual Reviews, it's been a learning experience for sure. A few notes on having a job:

1. once acquired, one realizes they're not that great and there's a lot to be said for being able to sleep in
2. money is helpful in many areas of life
3. vacations are like a lifeline... and are WAY more fun when they're paid vacations!
   

Just popped on this blog to see what was up... turns out Google took it over, which is fine... but in the process of switching this site over to Google's setup, I found all of these comments that people left months and months ago. Last I'd been on here, there wasn't a single one (I thought) and so I sort of gave up after I got the job... now I realize people actually DID look on here! How exciting!!

Though not posting, I still have been knitting on and off though not at the frequency I had been before!! I need to organize my photos and refresh my memory as to what I was working on before, what's been completed, and what's been started!!

A sad turn of events (for my knitting, anyways)

Got the job!

My first day was Halloween, so I'm coming up on my 1 month-versary. I'm at a private day treatment elementary school for emotionally disturbed children. As mentioned below I actually used to work at this same school, as a classroom aide, while going to school to become a psychologist. I left my aide position in order to do my internship. The previous school psych at the job left for a public school job, I heard about it, applied, and was hired. It's a tough job, with many components and responsibilities. I am never bored, and have PLENTY to do. It's also a great diet plan, because I don't have the time to have a leisurely lunch. I eat enough to get me through the day and move on!

It's wonderful to have income and something to do that makes me feel like a productive member of the household and society!

I have been knitting, but not very much. I finished my mother-in-law's Reversable Cable Scarf, a Lion's Brand pattern. I used Lion's Brand Wool-Ease in Charcoal, which is the same color used on the scarf in this picture:


I could post a picture of my finished scarf, and I will just as soon as I actually FINISH it (weaving in the loose ends and blocking it). But for all intents and purposes, it is complete.

In the meantime, I've begun work on a Corkscrew Scarf, pattern in Loop-de-Loop. I'm knitting it in Bernat "Frenzy" in the Black Blast colorway. It's pretty funky, but I think it will suit my younger sister-in-law quite well. It's a fun and relatively easy pattern for a pretty unique looking scarf.

Still looking... still knitting

I've been very busy these past few weeks. Not working, unfortunately, but knitting for sure. Evidence seen below:



This is the finished purple cabled bag... originally intended as a gift but after much careful consideration, probably not. Had to follow my "heart" and the "rule of the handmade gift": don't give it if you're not sure the person will appreciate it. I am not sure... so therefore, how do you like my new bag?? This was my first attempt at a lining, which I did in a black satin-y material (on sale b/c it's so close to Halloween!). I just sort of made it up as I went along and I think it turned out really well. And I just love the buttons.

I've also been working diligently on a pair of gloves for my dad (completed this week) with a hat to match. Both gloves and hat are knit with Patons "Classic Wool" in "Blue Storm" and a tan colorway, possibly "Camel," not sure.

I also started a small scarf, using the leftover turquoise yarn from my mother's turquoise raglan sweater. I'm using this A Touch of Whimsy scarf pattern, and so far it is looking lovely. I put it on the backburner, though, to start dad's gloves because frankly they were easier to knit while watching Sex and the City Season 5 on DVD... hard to follow a lace pattern when you're watching shows, I've found.

I also bought some yarn to begin a scarf for my mother-in-law... pattern TBA.

In job news, I may have a job. I interviewed at my old place of employment on Thursday. I had to leave that agency (I worked in a day treatment elementary school) to complete my internship, plus it was a per diem position that really did not pay well. So, as I left on good terms with the agency, AND since as of Thursday I was the ONLY CANDIDATE... chances are looking good. I should find out early this week and if so: let the celebrations begin! If not, then I work at Target. Because this cannot go on any longer. (Oh, but I do have an interview scheduled with an agency that works with the mentally retarded next Friday, so I guess Target comes AFTER that interview.) I had hoped to hear on Friday, but I didn't.... so this weekend has seemed VERY LONG because I want it to Monday so I can get a call that says "you're hired!" And if I'm not, then I want to know so I can get my application in at Target.

Back to school blues

It's well into September now. Kids are back in school, teachers are teaching. My former fellow graduate schoolmates are all working diligently, most within the profession we trained for. Whereas I am here, at home, still.... waiting! It's truly fantastic. What amazes me more than the fact that I am still here and unemployed is that I can manage to do so little with the time I have. It seems that the less I have to do, the less I do overall.

I have been knitting though. My knitting ADHD is still out of control, but I have been knitting nevertheless. A few weeks ago, I began a project with some yarn I had in my stash... label-less but I'm certain it's acrylic. I don't have a picture yet of the results up to date, but here's what she looked like a week or so ago:


The pattern is from this website and can be found here. I knitted mine with my Denise Interchangeables size 5, with the worsted weight purple acrylic from my stash (which came from my mother's stash.... and who knows where it came from before then). The intent is to line it with some sort of material (maybe a black satin-ish type....), find some antique-y silver buttons for the closure at the top, and give it to my sister-in-law for Christmas. As of right now, the body of the bag is completed, bound off, and seamed along the bottom, and the handles are almost complete. All in all a relatively quick and easy project... and my first attempt at cabling! Not as hard to do as it looks, for sure. I like the bag so much (as well as the color... I'll have to be strong to give it away), I've already chosen another selection of yarn from my stash (wool, I think) in a light tan/beige color for a similar bag of my own. I have to be STRONG and not begin it at least until I finish the purple one!

I've also been working on a small bag for a friend, who requested a "flat, square, brown bag with a longish strap." It just so happened that I had some chocolate brown (as requested) yarn lying about, and a severe case of knitting ADHD to prompt me to begin swatching RIGHT AWAY. After attempting several stitch patterns unsuccessfully (holes too big, too intricate to be seen with the dark brown yarn) I settled on a relatively simple pattern and began the bag in the round. Pictures to come. Now we've been discussing closure options (she opted for no flap, open top with a snap). I've never done a snap before, so I'll have to do some research to decide what would be best for this type of thing.

I finally finished the purple gloves a few weeks ago, as shown here:
No, I didn't manage some funky circular light/dark purple pattern... the flash did some funky business. But I am quite pleased with my first gloves... particularly since they fit, and they are the same size! Success!

I also started a pair of purple/blue socks using Lion Brand "Magic Stripes" yarn. Just because I didn't have enough projects to work on.

To keep me busy otherwise, my husband indulged me a bit a few weeks ago with a new Yamaha keyboard, with a very nice Grand Piano voice that sounds very much like a piano. I had said for a long time that I wanted to learn to play the piano someday, and while browsing in the stores we came across a similar model to the one I have, played with it, and that got the ball rolling. Several weeks and a few "Intro" books later, I am attempting to learn in the "classical" way, reading notes and understanding music, how it's written, etc. I've also got a few books that I think might be considered "fake" books, geared toward keyboard playing (as opposed to piano playing) that allow me to delve right into playing "Yesterday" and "Supercalifragilistic" melodies. I have been doing pretty well with playing at least every other day, if not every day, and love the fact that I can see progress from day to day. Unlike with exercising for weight loss... you just don't see those immediate and satisfying results. Probably explains why I play piano WAY more than exercise. One of the many reasons, I'm sure.

Summer's gone

We have returned from a successful, week-long trip to Waves, NC in the Outer Banks on Hatteras Island.
The weather was relatively cooperative, especially compared to last year! This year, it was in the 80's most days, low humidity, and sunny for 5 complete days. The other two days were cloudy and rainy in the morning, but generally clear by the afternoon. The rainy day gave us a chance to visit the North Carolina Aquarium in Roanoke Island.
The ocean was gorgeous... it felt a bit chilly at first but was comfortable to stay in and get thrashed around by the waves for a while.



All in all, a very relaxing and appreciated vacation by me. It was nice to get away from the stresses of not having a job yet, with the upcoming school year approaching in less than a week. I've resigned myself to understanding that I will not be jumping right into my dream job, as school psychologist (preferably in an elementary or K-12 setting). Instead, I find it more realistic at this point to be working in a "related" type of job in the area, at least for a year or two. Experience seems to be the big word in these interviews. But enough about that.

I wasn't very productive in my knitting while on vacation. I brought along my newest project, the Candle Flame Shawl, but since I'd stupidly left the chart of the pattern at home in the car, that didn't get very far. I did attempt to do a row (ONE ROW!!) using the written out directions, and found that to be so disastrous and difficult that, after unknitting the entire row (b/c I'd screwed up big time), I put that away for the rest of the trip. I also brought along my Frozen Lake shawl, which I did work on for a bit on the way down, as well as the Picovoli still in progress (2 inches to go, give or take). But I felt very ADHD on this trip, and couldn't seem to concentrate on any one thing for too long. I had, up until that point, been one of those people who could sit contentedly in the car for hours reading a book without caring if we stopped. However, on this trip I couldn't get into ANYTHING, even magazine articles were too long to hold my attention. Bizarre.

However, since my return back to reality, I have been a knitting fiend (while watching Season 2 of "Sex and the City" on DVD). I have finally finally finally completed those damned purple gloves I started many months ago, as well as "Hitler's Scarf." Hitler's scarf is a black scarf, made with an entire skein of Lion Brand 'Homespun.' It's for my friend's mother, who so admired a similar scarf I made for my friend out of 'Homespun' in a blue colorway. I did that scarf on size 13 needles, about 25 stitches across I believe, in garter stitch all the way. A very EASY and simple scarf... she didn't even want tassels or a fringe. So that'll get sent in the mail sometime next week.

I also worked on and finished the Frozen Lake Shawl. It is currently being blocked, but here it is pre-blockage (on the floor, attractive).

It is now blocking, with just pins. If I don't like the way it turns out (which I won't, I can say that already) I'll have to move on to some sort of wire or something. Not that it really matters, as I don't wear shawls...

That's pretty much it... Now I leave you with a picture of where I'd like to be right now:

Those lacy days of summer

The Frozen Lake shawl is coming along splendidly, if I do say so myself. I have not detected any major or even minor mistakes... and if I haven't detected them, then they are not there. And that is final. So far, I have 9 repeats of the pattern completed. The pattern calls for bind-off after completing 15 repeats.

This weekend we're leaving for a one week vacation on the Outer Banks in NC. I'm trying to decide whether I want to bring Frozen Lake with me for completion (or near-completion, anyway) on the trip... or if I wanted to start my new lace project this week, the Candle Flame Shawl from KnitPicks so I can bring that with me. Here's the yarn (which is actually in the same colorway as the pattern picture shows):

I have no solid reason why I don't want to just bring my Frozen Lake with me and keep on keepin' on. Maybe because it is called "Frozen Lake" and I am going for "fun in the sun"? Maybe it's just knitting ADHD. Plus, I realy love that turquoise coloring... so ocean/sky reminiscent. When it comes down to it, I'll probably just lug along my Frozen Lake like a good girl.

Yarn over, baby.... it's too hot for this

So we're still having North Carolina weather in Upstate NY. Yesterday, 90... today, 100! Insufferable. (But hey, by the time we're actually in NC -- three weeks!!-- we won't even notice the heat anymore.... right??). I can't complain too much, I secretly love the heat. But I also secretly love a break from the heat once in a while too.

In honor of our heat wave, I've begun my second lace project: The Frozen Lake shawl. Well, that's sort of a lie. I have begun Frozen Lake, but not in honor of the heat wave (just ironic) and while it is technically my second lace project (Yoga Mat Bag being the first), it's my first REAL lacey, more intricate pattern. I was a bit nervous starting off. I was tempted to run a "life-line" through every other row, because I was so paranoid. But, honestly (and knock on wood) it's going well so far.
Here's a bit of a close-up of the pattern:

As I said, I feel it's going well so far. It's being knit with Knit Picks Shimmer (100% wool) in "Morning Mist." Which is exactly what this sample for this pattern was knitted with, and oddly enough I had, rather randomly, chose this same yarn in that color without having a project in mind last time I'd ordered from Knit Picks. It was written in the stars.

I'm using my interchangeable needles in size 8, as the pattern calls for. I didn't check my gauge because I don't really care.... the pattern calls for 1 skein and I have three. So... whatever.

Picovoli's gone by the wayside for now... it's just too hot to keep her in my lap as I finish up the last 2 inches or so. As soon as it dips below 80 with less than 50% humidity, I might be able to hack it.

Feeling hot, hot, hot!

It's been forever since I've updated my knitting progress... and the progress has been minimal, unfortunately. Sometimes I just knit and knit and knit during any 5 or 10 minutes (or longer, for sure) that I can manage to work it in. Then all of the sudden, around the Fourth of July weekend, I hit a wall. In fact, just the other day I realized that I hadn't even picked up my knitting at all in 6 straight days (except to move it out of the way). I think there may be something wrong with me!! I'm back in the game now, though, I'm glad to report. I've continued working on my Picovoli by Grumperina, and it seems to be coming along well. I'm enjoying the yarn, as it is a gorgeous color and so soft.



My needles... it's quite odd. They're the inexpensive Boye circulars in size 2 (which I realized partway into my Picovoli that I probably should have used a size 3 to get the exact gauge... but as usual I was impatient and since I didn't HAVE a size 3 circular... ). Anyways, the tip of the right needle has become worn down almost to a sharp, flattened edge.

As you may or may not be able to see, the needle on the left (which, in this current project, is my left hand needle) has a worn area where the green color is gone, but it is still rounded. However, the needle on the right (my current right hand needle) has a distinct slanted, sharp edge.... not entirely accurately shown in this picture. Trust me, it's there. I'm hoping that next time I use these needles, I'll remember to switch the direction so the pointy one is the left hand needle, maybe I can even it out!

Anyways, here's my progress on Picovoli:

Close up of the shaping decreases above the waist

So, as you can see it's coming along nicely, and I should have just enough yarn to complete the project. I bought the seven required skeins, but I frigged up one of them pretty badly... a badly pulled-out center of the ball mishap. I saved it, just in case I run out of untangled yarn and need it as back-up, but it's looking pretty good that six will just BARELY complete the job.

This ugly bug decided that the Picovoli was at least good enough to lounge on for a while.

As for life in general... It is damned hot here, and will continue to be for the next few days. It's ok, except that because it is just so hot and muggy and we never bother to put in our air conditioner (b/c truthfully, we only really NEED it these 4 or 5 days each year... and we're lazy)... so my desire to throw a half of a tshirt sized project into my already sweating lap just does not appeal to me that much. Which is unfortunate, because the heat really makes it impossible to even consider doing anything else productive!

I have really only one job prospect in the works right now. Got a rejection phone call on the same day that I had an interview about a week and a half ago... and then got a rejection letter just yesterday as a result of that previous interview. However, I did get called for a second interview at one school, but I won't hear about that particular job until probably the end of the month. I'm trying not to get my hopes up... but other than having sent a few resumes out, this is all I've got to hang on right now. There are a few that I may get interviews for... but to be quite honest most of the other jobs that I've only gone so far as to send resumes for, I'm not really too interested in them. I suppose at this point I'll take whatever I'm offered... but wouldn't it be nice to find something and accept something that I actually want to do, in a location that I would want to live in??? Wouldn't it be nice...

One of the interview questions that keeps coming up is "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" My immediate reaction to that question is this:
IF I KNEW THAT, I wouldn't feel so DAMNED STRESSED about having to SIT HERE in THIS CHAIR, trying to sound EDUCATED, INTELLIGENT, and EXPERIENCED when I don't feel ANY OF THOSE THINGS!!!!!!!!!

Thankfully, so far, I've managed not to answer in that manner.