Hey, it's cold outside!

by Kat | Jan 4, 2008 | General

Hello everyone. 

Well, if nothing ever was going to motivate me to finish the sweaters that are languishing on my knitting needles, surely today made a valiant effort! 

People, the temperature never got over 20 degrees outside today. 

My poor furnace ran all day.

This is most certainly is not the norm for West Michigan – you see, Lovely Lake Michigan keeps us warmer in the winter months.  We usually are hovering right around 30 degrees.  So, when the winds blow cold and the temperature drops, I am not anxious to leave the house for much of anything.

But, I did head out to Knit Night tonight.  You all know the Knitters Motto – neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow, nor cold, nor children, nor anything shall keep the knitter from Knit Night!  And, we had a gang buster of a crowd tonight!!  We almost ran out of chairs!!  A nice way to wind down the week!

And, I am ready for Friday.  More than ready.

Have a safe evening all. 

Day 2 and counting….

by Kat | Jan 2, 2008 | General

Hello Everyone!  I had such an awesome time yesterday with Sarah!  We talked, and talked, and talked, and talked – and then we talked some more! 

And – this was all wine free talking!  (Sarah, next time – bring on the wine!!  Who know’s how long we could talk then????)

I have not had that much fun in – oh, for sure ages!

I am officially adopting Sarah as my sister. 

You are all the first to know!

Not only is my sister a fun dinner companion – she is one heck of a knitter – I can now aspire to be like her!  Unfortunately, she is also the YOUNGER sister!  Hmmm, not sure how I will work on that one!

Today, I worked my little fingers to the bone – counting yarn at Friends of Wool. 

All I can say is I am glad I did not have to count the yarn at my house – I would not be posting this now if I was!

News for tomorrow – I find out my “ACT” score.  Be still my beating heart – you think I passed? 

Have a great evening all! 

Happy New Year!

by Kat | Jan 1, 2008 | General

Hello Everyone!  Hope you all had a safe and somewhat sober New Years Eve celebrations. 

Mine was very low key, Blogless Mary and I went and shared some nachos and a couple of glasses of wine and then came home to watch “Catch Me If You Can”. 

It was an enjoyable way to spend the close of 2007.  Shortly after midnight, yes I did make it up until the New Year, Mary headed home. 

Shortly after that, there was a knock at the door – at 1AM.  Okay, I figured Mary had forgotten something.  Nope, it was the parent of one of my son’s friends.  So, as you can imagine – I have had a marvelous nights sleep.  At least they were where they said they were, but there was some nefarious activities that involved eggs. 

Yeah, what a way to start the New Year!

We also got a lovely blanket of snow last night. 

Yes – a lovely layer of white.  This is the view from my deck…. lots of white stuff.  And, it is not supposed to stop today.  That lovely “Lake Effect” snow machine has turned on and will be spilling some wintry white on us here in West Michigan for the day, at least!

So, New Year – new resolutions?  For me, I am not doing resolutions this year. 

Why, you ask?

Well, because in my amazing stupidity a weak moment I signed up for Blog 365.  Simply brilliant, not! 

Oh well, if you are a glutton for punishment – you to can head over and sign up.  It is not too late! 

Misery loves company, after all!

Alright, I am showering and heading off to Lansing!  I am going to go spend some time at Threadbear!  Hope to see you there!

Oh, and even though Michigan is not in the Rose Bowl – the Fighting Illini are.  Michigan will be playing this afternoon in the Citrus Bowl – sorry Gator fans, but I feel a Michigan Victory coming on!

Have an awesome day all!

As 2007 winds down….

by Kat | Dec 29, 2007 | General

Hello everyone!  Christmas here was over in a flash, it seemed.  The kids had a good time and they ate a surprising amount, considering they had a huge meal at their dad’s prior to  heading over to my house.  Sam put his hat on and did not take it off… unfortunately, I did not get a photo of it.  There’s some brilliance, no?

It has been quiet this week at my house, welcome quiet!  I have started some time of selfish knitting!  I am starting my third round of “beehive” stitches on my Marie Antoinette Socks.  Oh, I am in love!  They are divine, and a fun knit.  Anne, once again, has created an incredibly brilliant knit.  If you have not check them out, do. 

I have also been knitting on my “Logan River Wrap”.  I am using the suggested yarn, Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran – a blend of merino, silk, and cashmere.  While, I love the brown – green is my “go to” shade.  So, yes, I am knitting this up in a lovely medium green that has flecks of brown through out.  Yeah, enough said.  This stuff is yummy.  I am almost through my first ball, making nice progress.  I will also learn some new techniques in this knit – adding a border.  Yes, that is right, have not done that yet.  I will keep you posted as I begin the borders, so stay tuned!

Knit K-night was interesting this week.  I had some apples that I really needed to use, so I made a big pan of apple crisp and carted that down to feed the masses!  They all wolfed that down in short order!!  And, it seems that the gifts they all knit were exceedingly well received.  All in all, an interesting evening.

I believe I have a plan in place that will have me employed soon.  A good transition for me.  I am eager to get started, and although it will require some education, I have an appointment set for January 3 to start the journey.  New Year, new career. 

I am staying home for New Year’s Eve this year – my kids will be “floating” around – so, I had better stay put.  But, on New Year’s Day – I am heading over to Lansing to visit Threadbear!!  My goal will be to get there early in the morning and head home to watch the last half of the Citrus Bowl.  Michigan plays Florida, it should be a good game!!  Any of you Lansing knitters planning on being at Threadbear on Tuesday???  I’d love to see you all!

Stay tuned for some upcoming news on Blog365….

Have a great weekend all!

I'm seeing a white Christmas!

by Kat | Dec 24, 2007 | General

Hello everyone from White, Wintry Holland!

Yes, we got snow and more snow yesterday.  It was steady all day – with some gale force winds to boot! 

I am most thankful that we did not loose power, although some of my Michigan neighbors did.  I am hopeful that the power is soon restored and that all those without power have a warm and welcoming place to go.

So, gentle readers, if you have not finished your Christmas knitting – you still have some time to accomplish that.  Not much, but still some time!

I have some ends to weave in and a couple of gifts yet to wrap – small things that I expect to be done with shortly!

What I really need to get done today is the remainder of my food preparation for tomorrow!  I will be doing so while I listen to carols (and I assure you I will be singing along!). 

All of the anticipation of Advent has built up to today – and I will be singing tonight with the choir in our midnight candle light service.  It will be extra special this year as me and the kids will be helping lead our opening devotion and lighting the Advent wreath. 

I hope and pray that you all have a most Blessed Christmas with your loved ones. 

I leave you with a picture of the Nativity by Albrecht Durer and the words to a Christmas hymn by Martin Luther. 

Merry Christmas everyone!

Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept for Thee.

My heart for very joy doth leap,
My lips no more can silence keep;
I, too, must sing with joyful tongue
That sweetest ancient cradle song.

Glory to God in highest Heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.

T-minus 2 days and counting….

by Kat | Dec 23, 2007 | General

Hello Everyone! 

So, has the stress of Christmas preparation caused you to boil over?  Have you run out of steam?  Are you chugging uphill and fear that you cannot make it?

Well, take a deep breath – go on, I will wait. 

Another one…. nice and slow. 

Let the calm wash over you. 

Let go of that niggling anxiety.  Yes, just let it go….

It will be okay – trust me!

In all past Christmas’ I have been at a fevered pace in the final days winding up to Christmas day.  Much of the activity was brought on by the determination that I would make Christmas perfect for those around me if I was a raving lunatic.  With the frantic meal preparations, wrapping an obscene amount of presents, demanding perfection from the house, the children, and the weather – there better be snow!  And, what do I have to show for all that – not much but a few additional grey hairs on my head!

What I was missing in all the Christmas preparations was the real meaning of Christmas. 

How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is giv’n.

Every year on our Christmas tree, nestled deep in the branches and next to trunk of the tree, we place this little wooden nativity.  You have to look for it, it is sort of hidden away.  I find this little nativity so beautiful, maybe even more so since I have become a knitter.  The little sheep next to the manger is so appropriate.  After all, shephard’s were the very first visitors! 

I believe that we need to look for the meaning of Christmas – it can get lost in all the “commercialism” of the holiday. 

And, if we look – it is there quietly waiting for us, eager to welcome us. 

So, my Christmas wish for all of you is that you would slow down in these last remaining days of Advent. 

Savor the blessings that surround all of you. 

May the peace of Christmas fill your hearts with joy.

Have a great Sunday everyone!

Thank you Brian Williams for keeping my seat warm!

by Kat | Dec 21, 2007 | General

Hello everyone!  Well, what a marvelous week we have had here at the Home for the Unemployed!  Each day seems to bring new and hilarious exciting drama possibilities!  I want you all to know that in the dilligent search for gainful employment, there are a multitude of pathways to travel!

 And, am I traveling them!

Okay – in an effort to keep you, dear readers, amused.  I will share with you my “Most Wonderful Adventure” from yesterday!

So, in the State Of Michigan’s unbelievable wisdom – they are determined to find me a “career” not just a job.  Thank goodness they are not trying to find me an adventure – I don’t think the army would be a good choice for a woman of my years!  But, they are trying to find me a “career”. 

So, in order to help me find this new career, they had me take an “Interest Profiler Test”.  They explained that if I know what my interests are, I would be more successful in finding a career that matches those interests. 

Now, this is an online test – so imagine me sitting in a room with other unemployed idiots people like myself!

I have to tell you – I truly felt like I was in middle school during the process.  I had flash backs when the “instructor” began reading each page out loud to us.  Obviously, the unemployed are unable to read.  This must be a skill that is reserved for the working world alone.  Who knew.  I must have missed that page on my termination paper – “… and you hereby give up the right to read comprehensively with your termination of employment.”  Yeah, well… I am just saying. 

And, then the fun began. 

So, I have a test that is not a test with 180 questions that will help me determine what my “interests” are.  They asked me great questions, just brilliant I am telling you.  And, there was not a knitting/fiber question in the lot.  But, they did ask me if I wanted to chop down trees in a forest.  They asked me if I wanted to lube cars.  They asked me if I wanted to balance spread sheets.  They asked me if I wanted to climb mountains.  They asked me if I wanted to haul cargo in a semi-truck.  They asked me if I liked music. 

 Are you seeing a pattern here?

Well, I answered the 180 questions and the outcome was quite hysterical informational.

Drum roll please…. (ba-dum-dum-dum-dum-dummmmm)

The #10 job career for me is – Composer, Musician, Instrumental!  Okay, that is just fabulous.  Did I miss the question about could I play an instrument?  I swear there was no question about playing an instrument.  Does being a ringer in the bell choir count????  Somehow, I am positive that being a “ding-a-ling” does not a musician make!

Okay.. moving on  the #9 career option – Choreographer, dancer.  What????  Okay, now I know for SURE that there was NOT one question regarding dancing on the entire darn test.  NOT one.  Must be if you say you do not want to haul cargo in a semi – you are interested in dancing.   Never mind that I have 2 left feet… Fred Astaire, you don’t have to worry about your day job.

Let’s see if #8 is any better…. Creative writer, poet, lyricist, copy writer, cartoonist, caption writer.  Okay, I don’t think I can make any money with my blog.  Could someone call their publicist and let them know that this was my #8 choice…. thanks!  Keep this career aspiration in mind all of you bloggers out there, the next caption contest I enter, I should win based on the stupidity of this career option!

Okay, surely #7 must be better, right — Producer.  Of what?  I don’t know.  I have produced 3 children, does that count?  I am not sure what good that will do me – last time I checked, they did not pay moms for child production!

Well, #6 is not much better – Editor.  Hmmm, that might have possibilities.  I am calling the Holland Sentinel to let them know that I will be happy to take a position editing their paper.  I surely cannot do worse that the editing they have currently! 

And, #5  Film and Video Editor.  Huh?  I can barely get my photos uploaded to Flickr.  Ummm, did they see the “female” tab checked.  Hello, how can I edit film and video if I cannot set my VCR timer?????

#4 Music Arranger and Orchestrator/Singer.  Huh, see #10.  And, while I sing in the choir – I do so under the guidance of “make a joyful NOISE to the Lord”.  Thank you very much. 

#3 Interpreter/Translator.  Ummmm, I know I have a multi-lingual daughter, but me… not so much.  I could translate that I cannot speak spanish, does that count????

#2 Actor.  Yes, you read that right -ACTOR.  Ummmm, you have got to be kidding me.  Seriously – I am paying taxes for this kind of help for the VAST number of unemployed Michiganders!?!  Yeah, could I have a job, oh I mean career, that I could actually earn a living????? 

Okay… are you ready for the #1 “Career” for me?????  Holy cow, people, I am sure you can barely stand the suspense!  I know I could not….

And, the #1 career choice for me is …… Radio/Television Announcer or Broadcast News Announcer/Analyst.  People, I know, I was stunned.  And, if you think I am stunned – how stunned do you think that Brian Williams will be when I call him to let him know!  And, what about Katie Couric – she’ll move right over and let me in, don’t you think???  Hey, maybe I can call NPR – I am a member after all, and I can tell them that since I have been such a good member all these years it is time for them to return the favor – and I will be happy to take over the morning spot for Renee Montagne.  I am sure they will get right on that.

Yeah…. my thoughts exactly. 

Is it Christmas yet? 

Would it be Christmas without cookies?

by Kat | Dec 18, 2007 | General

Hello Everyone!

Well, in a few short hours my kitchen will be transformed into “baking central”.  I am enlisting the elves kids to get some holiday cookies baking. 

Good things:  The smell of cookies baking, hearing the kids laughing as they are working on them, watching them goof off with each other.

Bad things:  Cleaning up the kitchen after all the mayhem, pondering how many calories are in said cookies, eating cookies anyways!

I will try and snag some photos of the afternoon insanity!  We have Spritz and fudge on the horizon.  I might even be able to convince Heidi to make some truffles!  My mouth is watering! 

My knitting is perking right along, although I am aching to knit for me!  How selfish is that!?!  Only the guilt is keeping me from breaking out some personal knitting.  Are you all having “knit for myself” pangs as well?  I have visions of Fair Isle dancing in my head….

Like this one….

Or this one….

Or maybe this one….

I am telling you, 2008 is going to be the year of Fair Isle here at my house!  You will find me happily stranding along.  And – if all goes well, you may see this show up on this blog!  Stay tuned for my departure to the Fair Isle…. 

I have also started the task of wrapping!  Ugh!  I would like to put the packages under the tree, but I am afraid of what Thing One and Thing Two Noel and Maddie will do with wrapped boxes!  I am telling you, dogs are MUCH easier!  Copper and Penny watch those two cats and I can hear them thinking – oh, boy – are you gonna be in trouble!!!!  And, the cats seem quite happy to ignore the dogs sage advice…. I am telling you, they are not too smart!

Well, I am off to get the kitchen ready for our “Bake-a-thon” and back to my Christmas knitting. 

Have a good one everyone!

It's a Special Christmas Package!

by Kat | Dec 17, 2007 | General

Hello everyone!

 All year long I have been a member of Lynne’s Special Swap and I have enjoyed it immensely.  Our themes have been original and creative!  I have gotten to know some amazing and wonderful knitter/bloggers. 

And, Lynne ended the Special Swap by doing a “Christmas Swap” and my swap partner was an amazing Knitting Blogger, Sue.  We had exchanged a few emails as we got to know each other and I had so much fun selecting items to send to her to make her Christmas bright! 

This morning, bright and early, the postman rang the bell and delivered a package for me!

It was filled with some incredible treasures just for me!

Sue included some new Santa’s for my ever growing collection!  And, there was yarn!!  In the Santa mug is some appropriately named Knit Picks Gloss – Cocoa!  Won’t this make some “hot” socks?  I am seeing something that has a bit of a swirling pattern – like a nice, hot, creamy cup of hot cocoa!  Mmmmmmmmmmm, my fingers are itching to complete my Christmas Knitting so I can cast on something for me!!

There is also a skein of Sugar n Cream cotton to knit a Christmas dishcloth!  Sue, I think I can get it done before Christmas!! 

She included some great chocolates as well – and she included a Santa Stocking and a sock bag for a take along knit!  Sue, I am certain that you made these – and they are just gorgeous!! 

I love everything in my package!!  Sue, thank you so very, very much!!

The weekend  fairly flew by – we got some snow!!  I tried to get a photo, but my battery died in the camera.  I need to get some batteries today and get a picture or two posted for those of you who will not have a White Christmas!  It is looking very much like a Currier and Ives card outside right now!

I am also in need of a “Kitty Time Out” room.  There was much mayhem last night by Thing One and Thing Two.  I am on the look out for the Cat in the Hat…. I fear he is hiding here somewhere urging the kitties on!  I am wondering how I can sleep through the Kitty Shenanigans….by the looks of the house, there must be volumes of noise! 

Well, I am off to knit on…. have a blessed Monday all!