Where I try to show some FOs (Finished Objects)

I've been knitting for about 9 months now, and Mom--proud momma that she is--wants me to post some of my finished products. I'll try.

I just finished sewing the buttons on this today. It is a neckwarmer and I love it. I used the Holding Hands Feeding Ducks pattern. I did change it from a scarf to a neckwarmer by adding a button band of k1p1 ribbing.



Here is toy grass. I made this from a mochimochi land pattern



Here are some booties that I made for a baby shower. This is the flakey baby pattern from Ravelry.



Here is Boo the Bat--also mochimochi land:



Dave's Christmas Stocking


A bib I knitted for Dave's home teachees



A flower bib from One Skein Wonders:


and some sparkly booties.



Finally, here is a UFO--unfinished object. It is my first lace project. I'm loving the way it is turning out.





So, I've actually knit more than this, but I'm not putting it all up right now.

***Warning***Spoiler Below

Today, I became a spoiler. Yep, me. You got it. How? I voted. Except, instead of taking my time when coloring in the dots, I got a little hasty and colored in too many. This meant that I needed an entire new ballot--I had created a spoiled ballot.

I went to the election folks, and they went over their pamphlet checking to make sure they did everything correctly. I tore the corner off my ballot, wrote spoiled across it, tri-folded it, placed it in its own envelope, wrote spoiled across the envelope, and then placed that envelope into yet another one.

And then, I began again, more carefully this time. I won't tell you who I voted for. Like Dr. Lyman Hall of Georgia, I believe that my private political views are, well, private. Ultimately, I'm just glad I got to vote, even if I did attempt to mess it up.

Behold, the Internet!

So, it's finally happened! Dave and I have joined the information age again and have Internet access in our home. Woohoo!!! That means I can now get e-mail anytime after work and look up completely useless information. SO HAPPY!

A Stocking with Class

I'm currently making a Christmas stocking for Dave. I enrolled in the class yesterday while sitting and knitting at my LYS. They needed one more person for the class to make, and I had already bought a book for Dave's stocking, but wasn't sure exactly how to do this.

After taking the class, I'm beginning to get color stranding (the technique used to make fair isle sweaters, etc.) down. I've finished the second part of Dave's stocking, but I have about 10 inches or so to go.

I'll post a picture soon I hope.

Apple Picking

Today, I went picking apples for the first time ever. By a fluke I had Internet last night and found out a group from church was going, so I decided to go as well since it would be a good opportunity to meet people, and I love apples. By the time I got to the meeting place, we were ready to go: four women and two toddlers and one baby (only 2 moms).

Off we went to Wilson Orchard in the drizzling rain. Before we went out, they let us sample some in-season apples: Prima, Red Baron, and Burgundy. The apples had been hit by some hail early in the season, so they were a bit pock marked, but they were delicious, if a bit ugly. The rain kept everyone else away, so we were on our own when it came to apple picking.

I have never seen so many types of apples, and they all ripen at different times. They had Gala, Golden Blush, Honey Crisp, Red Paula, and so many others I can't remember, plus all the traditional varieties. I also found some interesting looking Turkish ones. They were cylindrically shaped but not ripe yet, so I didn't take any home with me.

Dave is going to be really happy. Not only will he be getting an apple turnover and cider (purchased at the store there) but I will have to make some apple pie since we have SO many apples.

Now, if only I liked making pie crust.

Busy Day

Today,I've decided to be productive since I start work in less than 2 weeks, and I have a ton to do. First off, I decided to sleep late--hey, I don't have much more time to do that. Next, I babysat a friend's sleeping baby so that she could go do Meals on Wheels. After this, I worked on our STUPID kitchen cabinets, and finally, I went to the library to become a Family Search Indexer.

Our ward has been asking for volunteers for people to index since I've gotten here, and I can finally participate since my dad has lent me his laptop. I trudged through the hour training, and I am now officially qualified to index. I've already indexed 80 names.

All I need to do now to be prepared for my job is clean out the second bedroom of all of my now-defunct teaching supplies. Any takers?

I Got a JOB!!!

I just found out that I am hired! I got a job doing indexing/checking work with a company. SO HAPPY! It looks like they're pretty flexible (within reason). I can even wear jeans and flip flops to work! I don't think I've EVER had job that let me do that! The job sounds challenging enough, although I don't know that it will use a lot of my skills. I felt great even after I got there (to the interview). That hasn't happened in a long time. The hours are a little funky, but I feel as though they'll work well for me. The pay isn't great, but at this point, something to pay the bills is all I need. I figure I can always try to get a second job tutoring if need be.

All that's left now is for them to verify my info/etc. I start Sept. 15th.

Wonderful Day

Still no job, but I am learning to look on the bright side. Look at me, on the bright side. Shiny, sunny day.

Anyway, I ordered 8 books online today and paid $8 total. Yeah! (Only 6 of those are knitting books.) Still, I can't wait. It will be awhile until I can get anymore yarn for future projects, but I'm excited to look through each and every page of these books.

So, how could I afford this? I won a $50 gift certificate as part of the reading program at the local library. I promptly got on-line and got spending. Also, Dave and I have been saving our change (mostly mine from when I was 12-18 y.o.). This was able to get a gift certificate at the local put-your-change-in-me machines. (no surcharge)

I'm off to wait for the mail man. He'll only take a week or so.

Ummmm...

If anybody still reads this thing, you've probably noticed that I haven't posted in awhile. There's not too much news.

Good News:
I got my swap package. SO HAPPY! I received the most beautiful yarn, and have casted on some cute projects already.

My husband and I are both now home and alone in the house. Sigh.

Not-So-Good News
I have no job. None. Having trouble even finding the prospect of said non-existant job. Ergh.

I even went to an interview where they told me that they didn't have any positions currently, but they were looking for applicants to keep on file. I then was told that I didn't even get the non-existent job. Huh?


So...I am currently looking for any actually existent full-time jobs that requires a real person, will not allow me to work from home for up to $100,000 a year, and is not trying to get me to give them my SSN for free, over the internet, without knowing that they are in fact, a company. Wish me luck.

The Interesting Interview

I was so happy this morning as I went to my first interview in forever. I even got my hair cut last night (and let the stylist do whatever she thought would look good). I couldn't sleep last night and kept on waking up every hour or so--just like on the night before the first day of school.

Imagine my dismay when after a three-hour interview process I basically said that I didn't want the job. Because there's a lot of training with a specific insurance-based call center job, the company does a lot of vetting of candidates to make sure that you're committed to making a career out of your job there.

I went through the whole process with a smile on my face and a growing this-isn't-great feeling at the pit of my stomach. I interviewed with the HR man again. I went through a customer-service call role play. I sat and listened to real calls for an hour (after signing a disclosure document, of course). And then, in the final interview with my the call-center supervisor and trainer, I smiled some more as I explained why I chose to stop teaching for now. And I got through the entire interview trying to convince both them and myself why this would be THE PERFECT JOB for me. Then, the final question: Do you feel you would be a good fit for this position? (or something like that, I've already begun repressing it) Next thing I know, I'm listening to myself say no that this position probably isn't for me. WHAT!?! Did that really come out of my mouth? I still can't explain it. I feel incredibly guilty as if I wasted not only 3 hours of my time, but 3 hours of theirs.

So, off I go to restart the job hunt. Wish me luck.

The Great Job Search

So, here I am in my new apartment without darling husband, trying to find a job. Sigh. Dave's gone back to STL to finish up work there on a paper he wants to get published. I've stayed here in order to get a job.

This week has not been as productive as I'd like. I have not gotten any other boxes unpacked; I've not completed painting the cabinets like I'd planned; and I've not gotten a job. So far. The first few days, I felt pretty good, but the last few I've been having dizzy/nauseous spells again. Annoying to say the least.

Well, if all else fails, I can always take up knitting design. In spite of being dizzy--or perhaps because of it, I've managed to finish 2 different baby bibs. (No, I'm not pregnant, I just wish I was.) I also started and halfway completed a headband before I frogged the whole thing.

Here's number one:




The biggest accomplishment of the week was getting out my swap package. I'm participating in the Budget Swap on Ravelry, and I've been loving it! I finished something for my swapee last week, and I put it in the post on Tuesday. It would have been out earlier, but the post office I went to on Monday didn't actually do postage. They would take my package if it had postage, but since it didn't, I was out of luck. Isn't the whole reason behind post offices to sell postage and send packages, letters, etc.?! I didn't leave with a great feeling.

Boxes, Boxes, Everywhere, and Not a Place to Sit

We have officially moved from STL! Sad. Things are beginning to look up, however. The living room, dining room, and kitchen are taking shape. The 2nd bedroom has become a huge storage closet for all of the classroom stuff I can't use, and our bedroom is well, our bedroom.

Dave and I have had A TON of help. My mom spent last week helping me pack all my stuff. People from STL helped us not only pack up the van, but clean my apartment since I've been so sick. The folks here had our van unloaded in an hour flat. I was impressed to say the least. Dave's brother even came down from Minnesota to help, AND my parents even traveled up here with us and took the dogs in their car. They're helping us unpack this week. Definitely blessed.

It's interesting to be in a condo that we actually own (or will in 30 years). We spent a week painting everything before we moved in, and it is personalized. I've always had white walls before, so walking around and seeing green, blue, and yellow is refreshing. The first thing that Dave did when we got here was put up my window scarf/swag/thingie. Last time we were here, he promised to, but we didn't have time or energy. Things are looking up.

MOVING

We are now almost entirely packed. We move tomorrow and Saturday up to Iowa. ACK! This has been one of the hardest moves (I didn't think it could get worse of moving the week of the wedding.) I have been MORE dizzy and nauseated the past two weeks than I have been for about 2 months. I have trouble standing almost at all. Packing makes me heave (sorry, tmi, but there it is.) My mom has been a LIFESAVER! She has been here everyday this week helping me/packing for me.

Dave took today off so that he could help. He's amazing spatially! He looks at stuff and puts it into boxes. WOW! I have been laying down, closing my eyes, and holding onto the bed for dear life! SO SICK!

Today was also my last day at work. Whew! They gave me the most beautiful wind chimes and a wonderful plant. :0) I felt loved.

What I did on my summer "vacation"

Dave and I went last week and closed on our condo. Dave likes to think of himself as a "landed gentleman" (I've explained that part of the point behind a condo is that there's no land involved.) I am so relieved that we finally closed. I don't have to continually correspond with realtors, brokers, and other people who want to help me spend my money.

After closing, we immediately went to buy paint. Not that I don't like white, but it gets boring after awhile when it's the only color on the walls. Plus, I've never painted walls before. And after what happened this week, I hope to never need to again. Aren't there people you can pay to do this. So, I'll have to post pictures later, but I'm surprisingly thrilled with how things turned out. Although, when I showed the before/after pics to family, they were very reserved in their reactions.

We still have a huge To-Do list. We worked from Tuesday through Saturday (leaving Sunday) from morning until night, stopping only to refuel (on paint or food). Every time we left the house, it seemed to cost another $200. It was ridiculous. I never knew this could all be so expensive. Dave and I don't have a muscle in our bodies that doesn't ache. I really don't think I've worked this hard in my life. And there's still more to do.

I also went on two job interviews while there. One with a private school for an activities director position; one with an insurance company for a sales position. I don't think either one went that well. I enjoyed the private school, but I wonder whether I'd really get to explore my vision of what the activities program could be. With the insurance company, I was asked back for a second interview, but if I HAD gotten the job, I would have never seen Dave, and since we're talking about increasing the size of our family, that would make things a bit difficult. So, I continue in the job search. Ergh.

On a completely unrelated note: Today is Dave's and my FIRST ANNIVERSARY!!! Yeah! I survived a year (which has nothing to do with wonderful husband, has to do with sinus infections, vestibular migraines, and all of the world basically trying to do away with me). We're going to go eat at a nice restaurant tonight. Mmmmm.

My anniversary present from Dave. :0)

Pics of Projects

Maybe.
If this worked, you'll see some of the projects I've been working on.
Okay, so I lied. Press the random rectangles and then you'll see.

SWAP

I have found the world of knitting swaps and am SO excited! Basically, when I joined, I filled out a preferences questionnaire and got a person's name who filled out same questionnaire. I now get to stalk said person around the internet for the next few months while buying things they may enjoy. What fun!

If you are stalking me, I feel the need to explain my queue on Ravelry. I know that I may never get to those 144 projects or so, but I LOVE looking at and lusting after these patterns--even if half of them may be beyond me at this point. :0) My favorite ones so far are from Mochimochi Land. I HIGHLY recommend them for hours of enjoyment while knitting and after.

Dr. Appt.

I saw the dizzy doctor again today. Not great news. Dave and I are contemplating having a baby soon, so I can't take any medicine to help with the vestibular migraines. I'm so frustrated. At this point, I don't think I can teach this next year. I am devastated.

The good news is that this may get better in time. Doc said that he rarely sees any 60-year-old patients. Also, I'll have good and bad days (think sin wave).

Still trying to figure out what to do.

Just Keep Knitting, Just Keep Knitting

So, in my knitting adventure so far, I've been making mostly dishcloths. The past couple of weeks, I've been working on various items: toy grass, a dust bunny (as if I don't have enough without making more), and some cute hearts. Photos will be forthcoming as soon as I can find my camera and the thing that plugs into the computer.

I'm currently working on my first "big" project: a purse. It's about 15x12 or so. I'm not even finished with the front. Ugh. At the same time, I'm kinda excited.

KIP Day

The adventures in knitting continue. Yesterday was Knit in Public day, so off I went to the Arch grounds with MissA and knitted my little heart out. MissA has been knitting for about 2 days at this point, and she needed help with knitting, purling, etc., but the people were so friendly and were able to help us out.

I'm currently working on a few projects. I've just finished knitting grass and hearts and am going to felt them soon. (My first felting project--Hurray!) I found the best yarn at Knitorious. It works perfectly for the hearts.

I can't believe how much I've improved since I've started. It's amazing me what I'm attempting. I haven't successfully tried to knit with DPNs yet (double point needles, in the round), but I'm working on it.

Loopy Ewe = Heaven

I went to a yarn shop for the first time today. I wanted to buy the entire store--at least the part I wasn't allergic to. Walking into the store was like being drenched in a rainbow: intense blues, perfect periwinkles, etc. Fortunately, I have a rule. After scrapbooking for years during high school and college, I've determined that I'm not allowed to buy anything that I don't have specific plans for. I bought too much paper, stickers, and accessories during the past few years that were cute, gorgeous, or that I just "had to have", and yet I NEVER USED THEM. NO MORE!

I was very productive (read I spent a lot of money) while at Loopy Ewe's. I found a pattern for beginner lightweight socks, DPNs (read double point needles), and, my favorite, sock yarn for Dave's first socks. This store carries so many options in yarn, and I was almost overwhelmed. It was great being able to feel things that I could otherwise only see online. It gave me a better idea of what I was and wasn't allergic to.

I started playing with my new yarn and DPNs already. I'm too scared to actually start knitting the socks, so I'm practicing using insanely tiny needles and the thinnest yarn I've ever used.