Times Are A Changin

Well...life here at the dragon is going through some changes...like any change, it is stressful.

My youngest, J started 1st grade today...my house, even though S and I are here, is so quiet. For as irritated as I would get at him...I miss him being here.

My daughter S is beginning the home stretch of study for her diploma...long hard year in front of us.

My daughter R has expressed interest in going to school to become a phlebotomist...and she is a new mother...pictures to follow.

My partner D is starting to create HIS website...and it will be incredible.

I am starting classes on Monday at NWACC, 15 hours of classes. I didn't make this decision lightly...but...when I applied for a job as a secretary only to be informed that I wasn't qualified, I've done this work for 20+ years, because I didn't have a degree and no, experience means nothing, jerk offs, I decided that it was time. What really scares me is the number of people that are doing the same thing...only they have been out of work for 2 years or more...9 months isn't so bad I guess.

I have my classes scheduled to take 4 online and my one in class is beginning algebra...God help me. My math class is in the evening. Plus, apparently when you are a dislocated worker...FAFSA...they process your application...IMMEDIATELY...I'm talking less than 24 hours. My financial aid is suppose to fund by Friday. I just submitted the application last Friday.

I am going for a general business degree, but was informed that there are 6 technical certificates that I can acquire while getting the degree by managing my classes properly so I will be creating a spreadsheet today to keep track. If I can get them without too much extra trouble I'm all in.

Theoretically I can...get a full time job...go to school full time...home school one child...manage the education of my youngest...work contract for D's work...manage a home...clean and keep laundry up and see to every ones care and comfort.

At this moment, I am very overwhelmed by the daunting task that lays before me...but...I am also kind of excited...but REALLY scared of failing.

There has been knitting...I am 8 rows away from finishing "Coming Home" yes, I know that the baby has already come home...I am to the decrease rows on my "Winter Clapotis" ...There has also been needlepoint...

Yes, I have been using the needlepoint to avoid knitting...but it's been a nice break.

Also, just so you know...my little Tomcat has been properly attired for his outings in damp, cool weather...

Why yes, that is the "Stroller Blanket" that is snuggling that sweet child...of course I understand it you don't see the blanket because of the sweet frown and pouting lip...

Must go tend the dragons...they are really restless and loud...TTFN



Time To Meet and Greet

Sorry for the delay.  Life has been hectic.

I'm still unemployed. I find that there are a lot of people out there that have been out of work much longer than I have been. I met a man Thursday that had managed a company for 12 years and was let go because he didn't have a degree. TWO YEARS!

I applied for a secretarial position only to be told that I needed a BA to answer their phones...I am REALLY glad that no one has to talk to them about me...I kind of lost it.

I had to file an extension on my unemployment...the only one thing of the obama administration that I can think of being of any benefit to the regular population.

I have decided to go back to school to get a degree so I can answer someones phone...For being out of school 22 years only having to take remedial algebra isn't too bad. This is where I met the man that was out of work 2 years...when I paid to take my placement test.

We have had some excitement though...drum roll please!!!!

May I introduce my little TomCat:

He came to us on August 6 at about 6 pm a whopping 6 lbs and 9 oz and 18 inches long. We had a scare though as the cord was around his neck, but we were blessed as he is perfect.  I have to say that I am pretty sure that he is happy to be able to move around.

This is where he had been living:

Let us just say...there wasn't much room left in there.  Of course I don't know if they are fond of him or not...



Rrrriiiiggggttttt...Just try prying this kid out of his Mommy and Daddy's arms and you are libel to pull back a stump.

We are all very much in love with this little wonder. Mommy and baby both did beautifully and Daddy is all puffed up as this is his son. R is a very good Mommy and Da is a very good Daddy.

Of course Nana and Grandpa are pretty taken with him too and he really likes his Auntie S and Uncle J.

Life is good...

Normal...Then...Not So Normal

All my life it seems that I have been told that I am either "ashamed of my raising", because I wanted more than I had as child. That I need to be more "normal". Or the big one..."can't you cook anything normal?"

Now you may think that this is really an odd thing to be writing about, but I have been told/ asked by no less than 4 people that I loved/loved "Can't you just cook anything normal?"

I love food! I think about food constantly. I LOVE to cook and bake.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE trying new things and ethnic food...I think that food is just...incredible. Of course, I am short and overweight, but I know why...I don't hate me because I am fat. I'm fat...it's that simple.

The first person to ask me this question was my grandmother...this question revolved around a lasagna that I made. She didn't cook things like that. She was from the "old school", meat and potatoes. Food that fed you, nourished you and was utilitarian. Nothing wrong with it, was very thankful to have it growing up. I do not remember a meal, apart from breakfast, when a bowl of beans as a protein source were not on the table. This includes holidays...Because I wanted to eat differently I was dubbed "ashamed of my raising" and "can't you cook anything normal?"

The second person was my ex-husband. I made Chinese food. Something very Americanized, sweet and sour pork or the like, and I made fortune cookies from scratch to go with it. Needless to say, he was not impressed. The question of "can't you just cook anything normal?" was put out there as he walked out the door to go to Wendy's to get a burger.

The third time I was asked this question was by my step-mother. My step-mother and I have never gotten along. She doesn't like me, I don't care for her. At the time I was staying with her and my father and was doing the cooking and cleaning. I had made a really nice vegetarian stew with couscous and had sauteed chicken on the side. At the time, I also had a 11 year old that was a "vegetarian". My father, my daughter R, my son J and I were all enjoying the stew and my step mother looked me square in the face and said "Can't you ever cook anything normal?" Did I mention that the stew was completely organic? Did I mention that my step-mother is a morbidly obese woman? She was not impressed.

The last time I was asked this question...last night. D and I were talking about dinner and I mentioned making "Cuban" sandwiches. D has been under A LOT of stress lately, but he turns to me and with a snarl says "Can't you just cook something normal?!" I have to say of all the times I have been asked this question...I think this one hurt the worst.

For D and the kids, warmed up smoked pork, corn and steamed broccoli...*yawn*...

I, however, made carnita tacos...so there!

On a different note...if there is anyone out there...you REALLY need to watch this!!! It is hilarious!!!

                                                                 The Llama Song

This is one of the most hilarious things I have ever seen!!!

Well, must go tend the dragons...I will post about the UFO month of July soon...TTFN

Interesting...

First off, thank you to any and all that sent out good mojo for me and my interview. I haven't heard yet, but the mojo must be working as I have had 3 interviews in the last week.  Please...keep the mojo coming! I greatly appreciate it!

Knitting content...about 2-3 years ago, while we were on vacation in Montana, we stopped in Kalispell, MT and I went to this little yarn shop. I purchased lace weight alpaca, size 2 addi lace needles and a lace pattern...I cast on in the car for this lace and named it "Insanity"

 This poor stole had been in a drawer for a while because I had been too lazy to block it. The act of blocking lace is truly magic..."Insanity" truly is beautiful and soft...

I did something very interesting yesterday and today...Since I am looking for work, I am generally on the computer applying on line, emailing resumes and such buy the time the kids get up.  Yesterday, J asked me if I would sit with him while he ate his breakfast...so I did.

J and I had the best visit. We talked about school starting, we reviewed counting and ABC's and some math and spelling. We talked about what he wants to be when he grows up. We also discussed the family game we play most evenings...more on that later.

Yesterday was so nice, that today, I brought my knitting to the table specifically to sit and visit with him this morning...

6 year olds are very interesting to visit with...

Oh, and it WAS NOT ME last night...TTFN!

Yes...It was me

After several weeks of being good...I fell...

I have been trying not to be the one starting those conversations at our knit night...

This week...

          IT WAS ME!!!

dammit...

Off The Deep End

Still out of work, but I do have a job interview on Friday, so if there is anyone out there reading...please wish me luck and send some good mojo my way!

As days go by and life gets crazier and crazier, I struggle for control. Why is it when I need to get control that I feel the need to work on very complicated items? I don't know...

Enter...

 Off The Deep End aka Frost Flowers Stole. It is from 2008 Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts and is by Charlene Schurch. The reason I called it "Off The Deep End"? It has a cast on of 992 stitches...yes...992 stitches. My friend N, she says I'm insane and that I have gone off the deep end. I thought it was appropriate.

In other knits, we had a very nice young couple join our Wednesday group and she had knit him Sack Boy.  Sack Boy was her very first knit for her husband, who knits, and she had trouble with the pattern.  Another of our knitters helped her and occasionally asked for my opinion on the pattern. In the end she made a wonderful Sack Boy! He is adorable.

Well, I got to looking at the pattern as daughter R's partner went nuts about the possibility of there being a Sack Boy out there. He's a good boy, he appreciates hand crafts! So long story short, since R was going to attempt to knit the pattern I decided to see how hard the pattern was. So on Friday I cast on for the body and away we went...

May I introduce...

Haggis, my version of SB's Scottish cousin!  I intend to get some embroidery floss or pearl cotton and chart a tartan and knit him a kilt.  My family has a tartan, as does a few of my friends families.  As soon as I can find a good source for pearl cotton in many colors I will post a picture of the chart and the tartan in progress.  I made some definite changes to the pattern and I may write up the changes, but I'm not sure yet.

Haggis was a hit though! I started him on Friday morning and sewed and stuffed him on Saturday evening. He was a quick knit and not too complicated.

I'm still plugging away on "Coming Home" as we have about 5 weeks or so before J comes home. I am currently on row 126 of 159 so not too far. I have used about 700 yards of lace weight so far and looks like I will have to attach another ball to finish. I will post another pic as soon as I get done. Right now...it looks like a giant deflated jellyfish.

Oh!!! I am also in the process of getting my sewing room set up. We have a spare room and while we were going to tear down the walls it hasn't been used for much. D's father is getting older and we have decided to leave the walls up just in case we need to make it into a quick bedroom should he come to stay with us sometime in the future. So...until then...I have a sewing room!!!! As soon as I get it set up I will post a couple of pictures!

Gotta tend the dragons....



Crazy Train Has Rolled Into The Depot

I realize that it's been a while and I apologize. I have had some major blue going on. I wish I could say that I had started a new job, but no such luck yet. Still looking and working on not being too awful upset that the job hunt is going so slowly.

First things first...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY S!!!!



Today is my daughter S's 15th birthday. So proud of the young lady that she is and excited to see what she will become!

Now, on to the Crazy Train.

Beginning the Steeking

Deep Breathing was going on to keep from passing out.

It didn't explode and unravel!!!!!

Gave it a bath and pinned it out.

Put a beautiful Batik back on it.

And finally finished Crazy Train!

I am very proud of Crazy Train. I really enjoyed this project. It was a relatively quick knit considering how large it is and that it is color work. I really feel like someone new to color work could manage this project.

Pinneguri, the creator of this beautiful pattern, is incredibly talented and has many, many more beautiful color work patterns. I would happily knit any of The Needle Lady's patterns anytime.

R was at my house when I finished the blanket and was excited to have it. I hope that Josiah will love it as much as I loved making it for him.

On to other things...

I have determined that July is going to be a month of UFOs. I have far too many hovering around and must get some finished. I have to say that I currently have...24 projects in process. This seems extreme...or rather I have been informed that this is extreme.

I am trying to figure out how to post a list of projects on my side bar, if anyone reads this and could tell me how, I would appreciate the help.

The top three in rotation are currently...Coming Home. I am currently on row 121 of 159. I also have 6 weeks until Josiah gets here. Tick Tock.

The Belt Bag. I am currently knitting the sides and bottom, it's one piece...it's just boring as all get out. 17 stitches in stocking net forever! I have it about half the way done. I haven't decided if I am going to do the cabled belt that goes around the purse yet.

Last but not least...Clapotis. I have actually frogged and restarted this project. I discovered about 3 repeats into the decrease section that I had neglected to drop stitches on both sides...Yeah...it is actually about the same place as the picture on my Ravelry pages. So it's OK.

I hope to clear off a few things and get them out of the way. Then I can move on to bigger and better!

TTFN...gotta tend the dragons.