by Kat | Nov 11, 2007 | General
Hello everyone! It is a nice quiet Sunday here – a bit of grocery shopping, dinner on the stove, and some knitting time – I am working on some socks and the second Snow on Cedars Mitt – making one complete pair!
Not working has led to some menu planning and more organization in life. So, out of uncertainty – there is a need to structure and planning. Some business acquaintances have emailed me with some job opportunities. That means cover letter to complete to send with my resume.
I am all about simplifying life. It amazes me how much clutter abounds in my meager existence. So, as I hone in on what is truly necessary – the clutter needs to be purged.
I see a GROJ (Get Rid Of Junk) Sale in my near future. This will accomplish a couple of things – de-cluttering the house and an influx of cash.
Also, keep your eyes posted for the birth of my Etsy site.
Good things – Simple things.
Have a great evening.
by Kat | Nov 10, 2007 | General
Okay, I am not regressing back to the 60’s – but if you are wondering how much house work I got done – Go Ask Alice.
If you are wondering how much laundry I got done – Go Ask Alice.
If you are wondering how much knitting I got done – Go Ask Alice.
Do you see the theme here?
Yes, Alice lured me into spinning up the undyed Bluefaced Leicester I got at the Allegan Fiber Festival. She has a siren song – I am helpless to resist. I am heading out today to find some waxen ear plugs that I can stop my ears with – sort of Odysseus like. Although, maybe if I can convince my children to do all the housework – I can lash myself to Alice and spin away!
Well – here is the before – 2 bobbins full of creamy white goodness. The yarn has a lovely sheen to it that this picture does not do justice to.
Here is the detail shot of my 1900+ yards of BFL. The sheen is a bit more apparent here, I think. I have not set the twist yet, but let me tell you how soft this is.
Yeah, lovely huh? I wish you could feel how yummy it is.
I googled BFL last night and I found a farm in Coopersville where I can get fleece from. Ummm, Coopersville is less than 30 minutes from my home…. This could pose a problem!
Next on my “need to learn” list is how to clean and prepare a fleece to spin.
Now, on to more pressing problems – Naming the new “Little Kitty”. There has been a vigorous debate going on between my children and me as to what to name this little black character.
My son liked the choice of Salem. I liked Madame Defarge (Maddy for short), and Heidi – oh Heidi – she has been calling the kitten “Negra” – spanish for black. Yeah, that was not working for me! At all!!!!
So, in light of how well democracy works in a family – I, in the end, used my parental veto and removed Negra from the slate of names. After a couple more days – one was obviously perfect and without further ado – I am announcing the newest member of the Christensen Huis – Madame Defarge.
Ewe-niss is the winner!! I will be emailing you for your snail mail address to send you a package of yarny goodness! Thank you all for playing.
Have a great Saturday everyone!
by Kat | Nov 9, 2007 | General
Chris in an effort to give me something to blog about for my NaBloPoMo effort has tagged me for share with you the answers to 38 questions that you did not know you were dying to learn about me. So, without further ado – the answers to my questions. Oh… and you should stop by and leave a comment for Chris – she is Jonesing for a new washer and dryer. You could leave a comment for her Hubster – you know – we all can wear him down by all of us asking. Hey, it works for kids, just saying!
1. Name one person who made you laugh last night? Ann and Heidi. Heidi cracks me up daily – she has a “flavor of the week” thing going on. Trust me – 17 year old girls can be very funny!
2. What were you doing at 0800? Watching the Today Show. I have to have my Matt Lauer fix.
3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? Taking the puppies for a walk and making a second pot of coffee.
4. What happened to you in 2006? Chris said it best – Life.
5. What was the last thing you said out loud? Copper go potty. Well… it is the last thing I said out loud!
6. How many beverages did you have today? Fourth cup of coffee in progress.
7. What color is your hairbrush? Navy blue
8. What was the last thing you paid for? Chili fixings for dinner.
9. Where were you last night? At what time? At Kyle’s house – watching Grey’s and ER – all evening.
10. What color is your front door? Beige – original, huh?
11. Where do you keep your change? Some in my wallet – more in an antique “bean pot” – although the kids frequently reduce the amount of change in there.
12. What’s the weather like today? Partly cloudy and about 45 degrees outside.
13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor? Coffee anything – and Ben and Jerry’s Crème Brulee
14. What excites you? Life. Also, yarn – fiber – and crazy teenagers!
15. Do you want to cut your hair? No – but I could use a color touch up.
16. Are you over the age of 25? Heavens, yes!
17. Do you talk a lot? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
18. Do you watch the O.C.? What is the O.C.? Obviously, I do not watch whatever it is. 19. Do you know anyone named Steven? Yes, more than one.
20. Do you make up your own words? Sometimes – doesn’t everyone?
21. Are you a jealous person? It depends.
22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘A’. Ann, see #1.
23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’. Kyle.
24. Who’s the first person on your received call list? Heidi.
25. What does the last text message you received say? No texting here – that is something I leave to my teenagers!. 26. Do you chew on your straw? Nope.
27. Do you have curly hair? Unfortunately, not – pin straight here!
28. Where’s the next place you’re going to? I have no clue. The shower would be a good start!
29. Who’s the rudest person in your life? I try hard not to have rude people in my life.
30. What was the last thing you ate? A bowl of oatmeal.
31. Will you get married in the future? I have no clue – I don’t have any plans to right now.
32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks? Hotel Rwanda.
33. Is there anyone you like right now? There are lots of people I like, but I’ll really like the person who gives me a job!!
34. When was the last time you did the dishes? Last night. 35. Are you currently depressed? No.
36. Did you cry today? Not yet, I haven’t!
37. Why did you answer and post this? Because Chris tagged me and I had nothing better to do. Plus, I am hoping Chris gets a new washer and dryer!! (Hint, hint Chris’ Hubster, in case you are reading this!)
38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey. Boy, this is going to take some thought – Ann, because I know she will! Laurie, so she will blog something!! Lynne – because we all love reading her blog! Susan, because she will have something profound to say. And, last but not least, Judy – my knitting idol!
With that, I shall leave you gentle reader to digest what you have learned about me – and if you are so inclined, answer these 38 questions yourself. Let me know if you do – I probably need to learn more about you as well!
Have a great weekend all!
by Kat | Nov 8, 2007 | General
I know – don’t fall off your chairs! I have been knitting!
The lovely Anne has an awesome pattern for fingerless mittens – Snow on Cedars. I truly enjoy knitting Anne’s patterns. She is a talented knitter and a gifted designer! So, I cast on mitt #1 last night and I just cast off mitt #1! Mitt #2 is calling – I will be casting on shortly – as I watch Grey’s and ER.
The yarn is just lovely as well. It is Jojoland Melody Superwash. I think these will be a lovely pair of mitts! I particularly like the subtle color change in the yarn. Sorry the photo is not the best – but it gets dark so early now – I will try for a better photo tomorrow in the daylight.
Specs of Snow on the Cedars – pattern by Anne at Knitspot – knit on US 1 dpns. I used Lantern Moon’s Sox Stix – mmmmmmmm, are these lovely!
Mitt #2 is cast on and I am into the lace pattern at the bottom of the cuff.
Alright – I am heading off to knit and watch the end of ER.
Have a good evening all!
by Kat | Nov 7, 2007 | General
Can you have a hump day if you are not working? Wednesday’s are the “down hill from here” day in the work-a-day world. So, do you get a Hump Day if you are in the ranks of the unemployed?
How about a Hump Month?
Can it be all down hill from here?
If it is all down hill from here, I had best get on my bike and start coasting!
Well… if nothing else – there is humor!
Okay, so – what have I really been doing since I lost my job.
Tears? Okay – I will admit, I have shed a few.
Moping? No – not so much of that.
Why?
Well – I am having a bit of a love affair with Alice.
Who is Alice?
Alice is my Ashford Traveler – and she is the apple of my eye. I cannot tell you how much I adore her! She is becoming a fast friend! She is going to get me through the crisis of loosing my job! And, she is going to do so with style!
I had spun up all the Wensleydale I purchased at the Allegan Fiber Festival – but – my dear friend Blogless Mary – bequeathed me with the Wensleydale she purchased at the same time.
Voila’! Below you will find 1600 more yards of this amazing stuff!
I am amazed to tell you that I was able to replicate what I had spun earlier! I am telling you people – Alice is creating a monster here! You can blame it all on her!
My spinning buddy – Copper – seems to be loving Alice as much as I do. He is so content to sit next to me as I sit and spin. I think he loves Alice as much as I do! Here he is – all ready for me to sit back down and while away a day or two spinning and plying.
How can I refuse this face???? I mean seriously people. I am working on priorities – trust me!
So, then there was this enabler – Rose. She is moving, right? Well, she had some fiber to get rid of….
Can you see where this is going????
Yep, I bought it. It came home with me. One large bag of gold, burgundy, orange, pink goodness. One very large bag – people – I have over 1800 yards of this amazing goodness. It is spun, plied, washed, and dried. I present to you – Autumn Glory.
Isn’t she lovely? How does she look on the polished table in the sunlight? Are your fingers itching to touch her? Knit with her? Can you hear her speaking to you?
Trust me – she has a siren’s call – and I have all kinds of things rattling around my head. Who knew that spinning would spark such creative genius in me!
Here is a close up – just some Yarn Pr0n for your viewing pleasure!
So… do you think there are any spinning jobs I might find?
Have Alice -will travel!
Have a blessed evening everyone!
by Kat | Nov 6, 2007 | General
Hello everyone.
You have all humbled me with your kind and supportive responses.
This blog was started when I lost a long time job and when I started it I had no clue where life would take me. I am amazed at how much calmer I am today, in the light of uncertainty, than I was two and a half years ago.
Sometimes life is all about preparing you for the next step. My eyes are open to so much more today than they were.
I had been looking at other employment opportunites for some time now – I knew in my heart that I needed to find other work. The housing industry in Michigan is shaky, at best. I had been looking in West Michigan – and was a bit depressed at how depressed the economy truly is around here. But, not being much of a “glass half empty” person, I could not linger in that state long.
Then came the shake up of job loss and with a renewed sense of direction – I began to look outside my comfort zone.
I need to apply to my life what I have been telling my children for years – change is inevitable. Change happens daily because each day is different than the last. Learn to embrace and accept change – life will be so much easier.
Sometimes the hardest thing is to do what you tell others to do.
So, I am heading on a new journey. One that I do not know where it is leading to. But, I know that I am not traveling on this journey alone.
This could actually be a very good thing – think of how many knitting minutes I will now have between now and Christmas!
Life is in fact very, very good.
Stay tuned tomorrow for some knitting and spinning content!
Thanks for your prayers and support – they are truly a balm to my soul!
by Kat | Nov 5, 2007 | General
Hello everyone. Well, we have narrowed the choices down and are trying a few out on “Little Kitty” – I hope we have a decision soon. Of course, we all like a different name. I will keep you posted and announce the winning name later on. I will also email the name suggester as well.
I am convinced that life does not get easier as you get older. Last week I lost my job. Yep, how awesome is that? In this economy I am a bit concerned about finding a replacement job. I have interviewed, but I have not heard anything. I am determined to not “read” anything into not hearing anything from them. I obviously need to work on patience. I have gotten a couple of phone calls from other lenders – but I am not certain that I want to continue lending in this marketplace.
I have been reading other friends blogs – and loosing ones job seems inconsequential compared to what is happening in other bloggers lives. I also need to work on seeing benefits instead of problems!
So, what did I do all weekend?
Well – I did some spinning, some knitting, some reading, and a lot of meditation. I am thankful that my craft allows me to clear my mind of what is stressing me out and focus on where I need to be.
I am blessed to have supportive friends, a loving family, and faith that this will all be alright.
I am also extremely blessed to find solace in a most unexpected place, from a most unexpected person.
My ex-husband.
So, stay tuned to see where this leads….
Stay safe and warm – we have cold weather heading in and SNOW in the forecast!
by Kat | Nov 2, 2007 | General
Hello Everyone! Well, here we are starting out the 11th month on an interesting note. Last year I was part of Noro-vember. I love knitting with Noro so much, I have pulled out some from my stash and will most certainly cast on a few things and knit to my hearts content.
I got a couple of skeins of Kureyon from a secret pal some time back – and I think I am going to knit myself a pair of socks from them. A quick, easy knit and just in time for cold weather – so they will keep my toesies warm! I also have some holiday knitting that I want to work on. It will be a Noro-bember-ly delicious month!
So, the challenge for me this month is to have good content for NaBloPoMo – do I think I can do it? Well, I will certainly give it a good try!
Things coming up for me this month – a plying class the weekend of the 17th. I am eagerly awaiting this class. EAGERLY!! My wheel has become a much loved item in my home. It is on the list for “If there was a fire, what would I take…. ” What was I thinking, resisting the spinning bug for so long???? Sheer craziness I tell you.
Last knit there was some Knitting with Grey’s though… I do enjoy that show. Thursday nights are a good knit night – I did not get to my normal Knit Nite – Heidi and Sam both have some major tests at school today so there was lots of “quizzing” going on here last night. This is, at times, a humbling experience…. sometimes I am amazed at how much I remember from school… other times, like last night – my brain is struggling with the “I am sure I never had this in high school” syndrome. Yeah, last night I would not have disagreed with my kids had they said – “oh mom, you don’t know anything”. Not that they ever say that outloud… but, you know they are soooo thinking it!
Well… I had better get moving. Have a good day all… catch you tomorrow!
by Kat | Nov 1, 2007 | General
Hello Everyone – keep those kitty names coming – comments will be open until noon tomorrow! The winner will be announced next week! You have sent in some great names!!
I have signed up for NaBloPoMo – that’s right – it is November! If you hurry there will still be time to get in on the fun.
Speaking of fun – I got my package from the lovely Leah! Check this out – this month’s Secret Swap theme was “Take your pal to the movies” and look were Leah is taking me! The Prestige – hmmm, have not seen it! Looks good!! You will find me curled up this weekend watching this and knitting! She included some other goodies in the package – a great little bag filled with Burt’s Bee’s treats, some amazing Green & Black’s Organic Bittersweet chocolate. Ladies, this stuff has 70% cocoa content in it – that makes it heart healthy! I love eating chocolate to lower my cholesterol!! She also sent me some Organic Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn – wow, they make organic popcorn??? Who’d of thunk that you could get healthy with secret pal gifts?!
She did not scrimp on the yarny goodies either! Check this out…..
Rooks Farm Superwash wool/silk/viscose blend in a truly “Magic” colorway. Very nice!
And, if that was not enough – she sent me a skein of Feece Artist – Spring Colorway.
Wow Leah, I love each and every thing you sent! I will send you my movie review and let you know how I liked the film!
Hope your Halloween was safe and filled with fun! Have a great evening everyone.
by Kat | Oct 31, 2007 | General
Hello Everyone!
Are you ready for All Hallows Eve?
Do you have your treats ready?
It has been a busy end of month – I am amazed at how mild it has been. The weather man did not need to tell me that it has been one of the warmest October’s on record – I have been appreciating how nice it has been. We still have some pockets of vibrant color outside – all in all, it has been a truly lovely fall.
I have been busy spinning – this is truly addicting. This summer I bought some beautiful Wensleydale fiber from Flying Fibers at the Allegan Fiber Festival. I also met the sheep who gave this lovely fiber. So, from sheep to yarn – here is a great example. I wish I had bought more of this yummy stuff. As you can see – it is natural – no dyes. My girlfriend, blogless Mary, bought some as well. I am going to buy it from her and spin up a bit more. I see a clapotis in this yarn’s future. I wish that you all could feel how soft this stuff is.
I am very happy with my spinning on this. The color in the photo does not do the yarn justice – it is really a very intense brown-grey.
I had hoped to get my “Special Swap” package out on Saturday, but that did not happen. I have it all set to go out today. I had fun putting this package together – our theme was “movie night”. I hope my pal enjoys the treats I put in her package!
Things have been a bit topsy turvy here also – remember the kitten that Heidi brought home? Well, she took that kitten over to her dad’s home. They were looking for a kitten – so, he moved over to their home.
A co-worker had a black kitten that she was hoping to find a home for… and this is the cutest little kitty! I had the dickens of a time trying to get a picture of her this morning though.
Here she is in all her green-eyed glory. She is so funny. She loves the dogs. But, Miss Noel is not so sure about this little rascal yet…
Here is where the contest comes in – help us name Little Kitty and I will send off some yarny goodness to the winning name.
Leave your name suggestions in the comments – you have until Friday at noon EST.
Happy Halloween everyone! Have a fun day!
