Progressive Purls

So long, 2011! Welcome, 2012!

2011-12-31T07:33:00.000-08:00

2011 has been a super eventful year!

I started out newly jobless and decided to take a chance on a career development training program that changed my outlook and my work life completely. I met some amazing new forever-friends and figured out what I want to do going forward. Those are gifts enough. But, wait, there's more!

With the support and encouragement of many, not least my lovely family, I landed a part-time role in Public Relations, an entirely new field for me, but which really started me off well in April.

In early August, I came across a (paid) internship in Recruiting and it turned out to be a great gig with great people. Not so much an internship after all, but I've learned so much, it definitely counts as an educational experience as well as a job! Extra nice, I get to write about the topics we covered in my training program and get some of that information out to a broader audience and, I hope, help some more people land great jobs!

In late August, a friend put me in touch with her employer because she needed someone to take over for her in the blogging/social media side of his business as she had landed a full-time job. Going to a business meeting feeling like a "vendor" was a new experience, much less nerve-wracking than a "job interview" and finally put me in the black.

For the last three months of 2011, I've worked 45 hour weeks, mostly at home, and have enjoyed myself tremendously being a writer and Social Media Consultant. Thanks to the openness and generosity of my managers and colleagues, I have learned a tremendous amount and will continue to do so in 2012.

It turns out the most important thing I learned working at the church was to be fearless. I spent a lot of time writing and thinking about what fear does to our thought processes and our decision making in those two years and, by the end, when I had to make a snap decision and take a very risky path, I did it without fear and with joy and gratitude.

I am indeed grateful for all I have learned, for the support and friendship of my colleagues, teachers and friends, for the gifts of love from the 'verse and for the opportunities I have received to grow and be happy.

I wish you peace.

Working Like a Fiend!

2011-10-11T18:27:00.000-07:00

And enjoying (almost) every minute of it!

It would be every minute, but the last two nights, my brain was going around so fast I couldn't sleep, which is very strange and has led to exhaustion today.

Writing, writing, writing. Writing about compression stockings, about air quality, about lead regulations, about translation, about bed bugs, about fall, about choir, about whatever I think of, writing, writing, writing.

It's lovely!

Of course, I'm so done with writing by the end of the day that I don't write over here, but I will try not to do that for too long.

I'm going to go dish up the chili I made at lunchtime, but would like to take this opportunity to thank the LA Fellows, all of my colleagues and instructors there, my friends and family, my former employers, my current employers and my incredible church family for helping me get to this place. We cannot see the path until it's past. You have all helped me stay on it, even when I didn't know what it was.

Peace.

Not for a year, but ever and a day...

2011-06-22T13:56:00.001-07:00

Okay, not for six months, though. For an entire year. Since access existed. Unbelievable.

Buh-bye.

Peace.

This is weird.

2011-06-21T17:52:00.000-07:00

I've lost my best friend. Only she really wasn't, she was just pretending.

So I guess I didn't really lose anything.

That makes me feel better, actually.

Peace.

Betrayal

2011-06-19T17:38:00.001-07:00

Wow, that sounds dramatic!

Of course, it is.

Did you ever...well, yeah, haven't we all.

Why am I shocked, shocked to find someone who is absolutely capable of deception and manipulation finally deceiving and (attempting at any rate) manipulating me?

I should have known.

I find myself wondering if a "lack of judgment" in the sense of not judging others is really a "lack of judgment" in the sense of having none.

Why would anyone who has betrayed me expect respect, expect the relationship to continue, expect trust?

What can she expect from me? Prayers, yes. Even yesterday, even today, even tomorrow. Forgiveness, yes. Maybe even already. Good wishes for peace and reconciliation with her friends and family, yes. Health and happiness for her and her children, always.

What not to expect? Me to ever believe a word again. Ever to let her near my kids. Ever to engage with her, ever, ever, ever.

And yet, even today, even knowing all that I know and why and how and to whom, she tries to make me feel guilty, to see her as the victim, to tell me I am the inadequate friend. Again.

Of course, I have been the inadequate friend before and we almost fell out then as well. During a crisis of mine, she confronted me about how badly I was treating her. What she did not realize was that I had already withdrawn from her because of doing this to me before. I had already put her in a box called "low expectations." I let her out of it again, mostly. It was never the same, but I reached out, I tried to forget the two years of wondering what she was calling for since it was always for something or other. And that's the kind of relationship you have with some people. They need and you help. They ask and you give. You even try to anticipate and you give. But you never expect. I never expected after the first time.

But even today she expects and expects and expects from me. For me to say, oh, well, it's all right, I love you, I will rescue you again, I will help you again, I will give what little I have to save you again.

Unfortunately, this time she put me in danger, put my children in danger, put my life in danger and that is simply too much to expect.

I love you, my friend. I wish nothing but good for you. You need help that I cannot give you. I pray that you find it, that you find reality and maturity and health. That someday you really feel sorry for your transgressions against the people who have trusted you. I know you're sorry you got caught and I know you're angry that people are upset with you. I know you're ashamed and embarrassed that anyone knows what you have done. I also know that you are still asking people to keep it a secret, to minimize the consequences of your actions. To somehow escape unscathed.

I suppose you might in some ways. But there is one thing you will never regain: me.

Peace.

LA Fellows Graduation Speech

2011-03-12T13:39:00.000-08:00

My colleagues at the LA Fellows elected me (along with Fellow Jay Bernard) to speak at our Graduation Ceremony on March 11, 2011.

Here is the text of my speech:

Thank you to the Job Training staff, the Faculty and Administration of LA Valley College, Program Partners, our guests and representatives from our nonprofits for being here with us today.

I feel like I’ve been writing this speech for seven weeks. And I guess I have. On Facebook, on Twitter, on LinkedIn, on the LA Fellows Blog and my own and in my journal, I have tried throughout to think about what has really been going on and what the impact of the LA Fellows program has been on me...so far. I say “so far” because the journey isn’t finished yet. And even when we all have fabulous new jobs, the journey will continue.

We all came into the LA Fellows missing something. What, you ask? A job, I would have said. That’s what’s missing in my life. But what were we really missing? A lot...and then again not so much.

So I will say thank you to our instructors both for showing us what we brought with us and for what they gave us that we needed.

We came here with our spirits. Thank you to Jim Marteney for showing us that the spirits we have and bring to our work are important and valuable and then how to tap into those spirits and put them to good use.

We came here with our brains and our bodies. Thank you to Larry Braman, a special reconnection for me from long ago and far away, for showing us the skills and energy we have and bring to our work are amazing resources for ourselves and our employers. And for showing us that any way we connect with one another and the world is significant.

We came here with dreams. Thank you to Dr. Virginia Green who taught us to only accept the best from ourselves, from our team, from our lives, from our time. Some of us didn’t know what our dreams were, some of us even found that our dreams were different from what we thought. Wherever we are in our journey today, all of us have gained clarity and if we don’t yet know what we want, we do know what we need.

We came here with an idea of what job search was. Thank you to Tony Jaramillo for giving us concrete skills to deal with what we have to go through to reach our goals.
We came here thinking we knew about group dynamics and communications. Thank you to Michael Tompkins for reminding us that listening can always be improved and that openness to others is a huge asset in any situation. And thank you for being there for us after the program ends.

We came here feeling powerless. Great thanks to Roberto Guitierrez for giving us a safe place to find the power within us and proclaim it to the world.

And for the things we needed:

Thank you Doug Card for getting us up to speed on the computers with such good nature, humor and patience.

Thank you to Andrea Mitchel, who made “nonprofit” into a reality for us, a place where we can learn and grow and thrive. And for giving us a whole new skillset that will serve us well as we move on.

And to Lynette Ward, thank you for giving us so many things we really did not have at all through her immense knowledge and generosity: what to do, what to use, what to bring, what to say, what to ask, and what to do when we land.

And Allison, our bright shiny penny, our touchstone, our confidante, our mentor. I cannot imagine anyone doing this better than you do, working harder, being kinder.

But, sorry everyone, my biggest thank you has to be to my colleagues. Thank you for connecting with one another, for supporting one another, for becoming a family, for crisis counseling and for laughter. I don’t think any of us knew we were missing each other, but we were and now we’re not. And thank goodness, we never will be.

I will finish with an Irish blessing:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
Until we meet again.

Thank you.

Great thanks to all of my friends at LA Fellows Cohort 2 for trusting me to speak. I am humbled by your confidence.

Peace.

I have a dream (yes, I do)!

2011-03-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

I have a dream. That dream is to take my hyper-local journalism and webmaster experience and turn it into a career.

And so I present to you my new daily feature:

If I Were the Editor of the Burbank Patch!

The Burbank Patch doesn't exist yet...but when it does, watch out!

On this beautiful Saturday in Burbank, California, I would remind parents that there is a Bird Walk tomorrow morning in Wildwood Canyon, as there is every Second Sunday of the month. It's the perfect time of year to hike up there, as it's not too hot and the plants are in their spring burgeoning time. Great day to take some pictures!

It's also a wonderful day to go to the Burbank Farmer's Market, where each week I would feature a different vendor and try their wares: good blog-fodder and also lovely photos.

[I wish I had time to do this NOW!]

Okay, get this one: Professional Cars International is going to attempt to break the World Record (Guiness Book and all) for the WORLD'S LONGEST HEARSE PARADE starting at the top of the parking structure at the Burbank Holiday Inn at 9am! I can hardly stand not to be there!

Photo via FlickrCreativeCommons by Mr Littlehand

The Burbank Animal Shelter is having a Pet Adoption day today at 11am. I could easily go over and take heart wrenching pictures of the kittens and puppies! Come on, dogs is wonderful!

Photo via FlickrCreativeCommons by Kiwi NZ

Sounds like I would have a busy--and FUN!--day ahead...

...If I Were the Editor of the Burbank Patch!

Peace.

Things that make you go hmm...

2011-01-27T09:52:00.000-08:00

From Suzanne Rumsey on Fistful of Talent:

"Leadership is tough. It's difficult. Sometimes it Really. Just. Sucks. But one reason (some) good leaders (should) get paid the big bucks is because they are people to undertake the unpleasant aspects of leadership with the same grace, equanimity and authentic humility as they do the more pleasant aspects of leadership. And the really good leaders know that intent doesn't cut it; impact is the name of the game. "

Ahem.

Peace.

Would you like to see?

2011-01-12T06:58:00.001-08:00

My new (unofficial) church website?

Click HERE!

Next week, I will get the business website up and running, but today is my interview for LA Fellows.

Peace.

I'm an entrepreneur!

2011-01-10T10:26:00.000-08:00

I've started a new business in Website Design and Content Management, Spin-a-Website!

Not quite live yet, I've got a sample site up that I will publish in the next week or so and the business website has to wait until Google Sites lets me make another one, but my graphic designer is working on the logo (thanks a million, J!) and my business cards are printing as we speak.

Wish me luck!

Peace.

Compelled to snark (I can't help myself!)

2011-01-04T09:03:00.001-08:00

Creating 2 new websites:

A sample church site to show off my skillz and possibly for private viewing by an invited list, since I will post videos and photos and such for my own self.

A VERY PRIVATE all-snark, all the time parody site.

Now to try to tear myself away from the snark and work on the real one.

No links provided!

Peace.

All I have to say is...

2011-01-03T23:09:00.000-08:00

Back away from the Style Sheets. Do not try this at home. We are what is known as "experts."

My former employer has taken over my former website and all is lost!

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!

Peace.

Things I Learned Last Year

2011-01-01T09:16:00.000-08:00

Fibery Stuff:

Spin up wool in colorways I'm not terribly fond of into worsted weight singles IMMEDIATELY. Takes an hour or two, and then I will have loads of yarn for quick gifts later in the year.
It is possible to make something for all of the Middle School teachers for Christmas. Luckily, DD has one teacher for two subjects, but still. What I will do when they each have 6 I do not know. [I did not knit for them all, some got cranberry bread, which is FINE.]
Starting the Christmas knitting Thanksgiving weekend is a good idea. But see the first lesson, as I had planned to spin more yarn for the gifts while knitting and that would have been impossible. I only spun 2 new yarns during the process.
Commercial yarn is also FINE. Load up on single skeins of workhorse wools when they are on sale. Someday you will be glad you did!
Wensleydale is not soft, but it is silky. Don't eschew the longwools.
Socks go quickly when you're underemployed!

Non-Fibery Stuff:

Be fearless!
Ask for help.
Ask if someone needs help.
The slow-cooker is amazing!
It's okay to take a stand. Money isn't everything.
It's okay to have high expectations. It's also okay to keep track of when people don't live up to them. Forgive, but know whom to trust with how much. Don't take big chances on the wrong person.
Do your best work every day!

2010 was not the best year ever, but it had its high points. And a lot of fulfillment and joy! The bad parts are being left behind and we have a lot of great stuff to anticipate: DD in "Bye-Bye, Birdie," new adventures in work and education, time to focus on family and fiber and friends!

Happy New Year!

May peace prevail upon the earth.

Happy New Year's Eve!

2010-12-31T08:46:00.000-08:00

The fall always seems more like a new year to me, but this year, with the job ending and all, I guess it does feel like a new beginning more than usual.

My resolution is only to go forward without fear. That's it. I will continue to do everything I can, every day, to support my family, to nurture my children, to love my husband, to stay healthy, to help my friends, to foster peace.

Looking back on the last two years, they have certainly been dramatic! And not in a good way! But I have learned a tremendous amount, made many new relationships that I am lucky to be able to maintain, gained confidence in myself and my skills and found realms of interest that are entirely unexplored, very exciting! I would like to work in social justice, environmental activism, peace, civil rights, politics. I could not do any of that without the experience that I garnered at the church. For that, I say Thank You.

I wish them success and health. I wish them more connection with one another, more understanding of each other's point of view and freedom from fear.

And in fact, I wish the same to you, dear readers, wherever you may be.

May peace prevail upon the earth.

2010-12-10T20:51:00.001-08:00

Trying a post from my phone.

Getting on the stick!

2010-12-08T10:49:00.000-08:00

I have a lot on my plate in the next couple of weeks. Don't you?

Keep knitting and spinning for gifts (more important than ever!)
Bake 3 trillion cranberry breads
Submit resumes to anything interesting, especially as referred by friends (thanks, everyone!)
Clean the house ready for the tree
Do all the regular stuff (13 more days of work, 2 of those at home, 4 mostly singing

Am I counting down?

Of course, I will still be singing and I treasure the fact that I won't lose any friends or contact with anyone regardless of the office situation. I love so many people there!

And I plan to volunteer for the things I would have before: Vacation Bible School, Carnival, spring recital, even the theater group. I cannot walk away from those kids, they are so amazing!

But new opportunties are percolating and they are very exciting. But no jinxing!

My DH sent me to hear Mel Brooks interview Dick Cavett last night and it was hilarious, although it was more Mel than Dick, which was fine! Mel sang "Springtime for Hitler" in the style of Sinatra, Carl Reiner had to get up from the audience to tell how the Two Thousand Year Old Man came to be, a great evening. Thanks, sweetheart!

Peace.

Driftglass gets it right

2010-12-07T06:53:00.001-08:00

He's talking about the country, of course, and I'm talking about my church but I have found that my church (and the unpleasantness there) has many, many similarities to our national situation.

We have a leader who is extremely fearful (Bush). Who always makes the wrong decisions (Bush). Who kowtows to the wealthy and powerful (Obama). Who does not want to fight for any discernable principle (Obama). Sheesh.

At any rate, this part is exactly right:

"(W)hen pricks with power insist on smashing something precious to bits, rather than trying to mitigate the pain and clean up their mess, sometimes it is a fine thing to let the ruins lay there and rot for a good long time.

Let the stink fill the halls. Let its absence become an acute pain.

You wanted it broken? Fine. Now its broken. Now what?"

Those in power have certainly smashed something precious. What y'all gonna do now?

Peace.

h/t Driftglass, go and read the whole thing, it is brilliant!

I did not enjoy that

2010-12-05T15:43:00.000-08:00

And I should have, really. I mean, wasn't I just telling everyone how righteous indignation was a comfortable emotion for me, one which I had strived earlier in the week (and succeeded) to move beyond?

Why is it that people insist on telling us things that make them feel better and us feel worse?

Luckily I am old enough to realize it when it's happening instead of later on, when it's too late to unhear whatever it is.

I found myself today confronted by one of the people who chose to reduce my hours at work to such a tiny number that I found myself unable to remain employed there. Confronted, mind you, rather forcibly, since I had assiduously avoided this person for days.

Now, I get it, as I have said. Budget cuts, personnel is the largest part of the budget, egos must be stroked, the wealthy must be mollified. Fine. What I did not want was to have to listen to the most aggressive member of the Committee tell me how they came to the decision and how hard it was and how they feel bad and how I shouldn't take it personally. And on top of that, how no one thought I would quit! Heavens no! No one even mentioned it in the meeting, too outrageous!

That last part is a bit of hyperbole (on my part) but the gist was a lie. A flat out lie which I think would have stood had I not challenged it then and there. It was recanted an hour later, so was I right or was I wrong?

What I'm glad about is that I called him out on the lie. I also told him in no uncertain terms that the reason I didn't want to talk to him about it was because the conversation was for him, not for me. He wanted me to understand him. I don't care. I do not care. Tell the world! Tell your dog! Tell your pastor, for goodness' sake, but do NOT tell me.

If the conversation is for me, ask me how I'm doing. Ask my how my husband is. Ask me what my plans are. Ask me if we're okay for Christmas. Give me a chance to tell you what's going on. Say you'll miss me. Tell me you hope we can still be friends. Suck it up that I'm unhappy with you and give a little. Ahem.

It reminds me (deeply) of experiences I had when I was younger with people who were involved with EST who had to "clear" with people, which meant say everything nasty they had ever thought so that it was off their shoulders. Heaven help the person "cleared" at!

It has been a rough week for me and now I need to calm down, get back to cleaning up and clearing out, prepare for Christmas at home with my lovely little family, our first year with our own tree. I cannot let any of this ruin any more days. And so I won't. I'd appreciate it greatly if no one else ruined my day for their own purposes, thanks.

Peace.

Go ahead and laugh. I can take it.

2010-12-03T20:50:00.000-08:00

Are you a person who told me I should go on Facebook?

Did I scoff? I'm sure I did. "I'm a Twitter person," I said. "Facebook eats your life."

Or even, "I talk to you every day! Why do I need your web updates?"

Now, keep in mind I am a Twitter lover and I have an internet fiber community (Ravelry--go now) that eats my life already, so the whole life-eating thing is really okay with me. But Facebook? Why?

Then I started a page for work. Then I uploaded some photos. Then I looked around a bit and friended my current RL friends. And commented on their status. And posted on their wall. And started messing around with my profile and, well, the rest is history!

I'm having a great time reconnecting with old friends, networking, finding new things in common with best buddies and, especially, learning a whole new system. And you know how I love a learning curve!

OKC: I have now finished 4 Christmas gifts (knitted) and half of one more (spun). I need to take pictures but this week really got ahead of me. I'm taking a bit of time to regroup over the weekend and expect to sit down at the wheel and make some good progress. Baking is up next!

[Oh, dear, I seem to have developed an exclamation point tic tonight. I'm sure it will pass.]

Peace.

Are there stages of quitting?

2010-12-01T20:31:00.001-08:00

Like grief?

I seem to have progressed successfully from sadness to anger. I'm waiting for relief next, then peace. We'll see if I get there if I don't know whether I can pay the rent or not, but I think relief is pretty imminent.

[My dog is going crazy!]

Obligatory knitting content: working on another Christmas gift but don't want to spoil it. I have taken pictures of 2 out of 3 teacher gifts but have not yet uploaded them. Been a little busy...

Thank goodness my husband is being so nice about everything. And the kids. And my parents all. And everyone really that I've been spending time with. I love you guys!

Peace.

And...scene!

2010-11-30T15:53:00.000-08:00

I have resigned almost all of my position at my church (I had a combination of 3 jobs which added together gave me 35 hours and benefits) because they cut me from 25 hours a week to nine. Nine. Not worth getting dressed for, thanks. I'll freelance and worry about my healthcare at home where I don't have to deal with your sturm und drang and hand-wringing about how it was so hard but cuts needed to be made. Okay. Fine. No one will update your website. No one will have time to put on hugely successful events because they are busy pushing paper that I used to take care of but am not any more. No one will get the newsletter in their email, so you will have to go back to doing a 500 piece mailing again, which costs money, too, you know, in postage and paper and toner and man hours. Okay. Fine. I get it. You have to save the feelings of the people who give the money. I get that their feelings are more important than mine. But you are making poor business decisions which will come back and bite you. Probably not until there is a new regime and certainly long after I have moved on. So I guess that serves your purpose. I won't miss you a bit.

Have fun!

Peace.

Here we go again.

2010-11-24T14:25:00.001-08:00

My employer needs to make large cuts in their personnel budget. Again. That's what led to my 2 month furlough last summer, which is set to be repeated (but at least I'm ready this year).

Now it turns out they pretty much have to cut a whole part-time position. Well, there are two of us. Wonder which one it will be.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Peace.

I feel like Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

2010-11-17T07:27:00.000-08:00

And not necessarily in a good way.

I seldom feel like the Yarn Harlot, being neither terribly witty nor terribly famous (at least in knitting circles) but I channeled her quite successfully yesterday when I...

made a knitting schedule for Christmas.

Totally doable, without frenzy, I just have to keep at it. And I'm on schedule for item #1! Hey, this is easy!

Of course, it always falls apart for her in the end when she gifts boxes of half-knit projects or manages not to see the giftee until January or something, but hope springs eternal for both of us!

This week, I focus on teacher gifts, which must be delivered by December 16th. First up: 6th Grade Science, one glove finished, second glove half way through the cuff ribbing. I'll add a photo after I take the kids to school.

Peace.

Oh, dear, that was a long time!

2010-11-10T15:39:00.000-08:00

You can probably guess at the level of busy going on here in lovely cold-hot-cold SoCal these days. I was just telling my mom it feels like we have increased our activities by a factor of 5. It may not be true, but it's definitely truthy.

DD's school play rehearsals have increased from once a week to twice. The Cub Scout Den is trying to get their Webelos Badge before Christmas (I need to get DS to plan a week of meals and such). Two activities have fallen away (skateboarding and drawing) but other things involve homework and such.

And so, dear reader, we are not going out East for Christmas this year. Which makes me wistful. But we really need a break from EVERYTHING and will take one. I have quite a store of overtime saved up and won't have to use any vacation days (saving them for Spring Break). Time to hang out, to play games, to stay in our PJ's, to bake together, put a log in the fireplace, all sounds really good. I will miss the people, but not the frenzy. Next year, peeps! And see you for a good long summer vacation!

Speaking of summer, it looks like I'll be furloughed again and my freelance job has sold the business to someone in Long Beach so who knows what that will mean. I'm certainly not driving to Long Beach to pick up DVD's! I will make a big effort to ingratiate myself with the new owner, though.

On the potentially more money front, however, I am involved with a group which is going to offer some Website Development workshops in the area, some possibly even to organizations which are seeking someone to provide and post their content for them, which would be something I would LOVE to do on a freelance basis, so any good thoughts that way would be very greatly appreciated!

Today was DS's 4th Grade play, "Geology Rocks!" He did a great job!

Great thanks to all the teachers and parents who worked so hard! My contribution this year was very minimal, but at least visible to the human eye. DD's year, I had my friend J to help me make 14 black vests for the costumes, which was very intimidating but with help totally doable.

I am knitting along on a semi-secret project and another totally secret project so no pictures so far of that but I did spin some pretty yarn:

IMPORTANT NOTE: Both of the above photos were taking with my well-beloved Stepfather's Nikon D50 DSLR, for which I am extremely grateful!!

Peace.

Well, blog fans...

2010-10-17T16:32:00.000-07:00

I let this get past me for a couple of weeks, eh?

We did not win the screenwriting competition but we are happy (as we can be) with making the Finals this time. We will try again, albeit with a different script I expect. Thanks to all for your good wishes!

We are, however, all healthy and doing well in our various pursuits. DD is working on Honor Roll and only needs to make up a little ground in PE. DS is thriving in his class and worked very hard on his Book Report Diorama with his dad this weekend, yay! Almost done!

Said dad is getting over a cold and today is our wedding anniversary (12) so soon we will manage to go see "The Social Network" but not tonight. I do love me some Aaron Sorkin!

I finished my orange sweater and am knitting on the green laceweight one again, but considering another gift, about a million sweaters that would be quicker and finishing the two in-progress-for-years sweaters that lurk around here. Should have a modeled photo this week but here it is blocking:

This is DH's favorite so far!

This week: big push to finish Girl scout film editing and get ready for our Halloween Carnival at work and help with 4th Grade Play preparations. Costumes for Halloween are well under way, thank goodness and thanks to friend J who snagged me an "Alice" from work, thanks J!!

Spent some time at a local Mosque this afternoon where both the fellowship and the food were warm and wonderful. Great thanks to the Islamic Center of Glendale for the lovely hospitality!

Peace.

Feeling a bit better

2010-10-06T06:22:00.001-07:00

I had a dentist appointment on Monday that just threw me for a loop. Too long, too everything. I'm feeling better today, though, and should be okay going to work and such.

Started in on finishing the orange sweater sleeve, that should be done by the end of the week unless I decide to do a stealth super speed project by Sunday. Which I will probably decide to do, but we'll see how I feel about spinning after the kids go to school today. If I don't spin the yarn, the project will never get off the ground!

DS got a 100 on his Science Test, yay! Congratulations, buddy!

Photo from the fair:

Peace.

A quiet weekend, finally!

2010-10-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

I thought I had a baby shower this weekend (got the date wrong) so I have very little going on. Taking scout troop to the mall to hang out, posting photos from the Fair, I will have to practice my music for tomorrow when we get back, but that's no biggie.

Baby shower gift, finished (since I thought it was today), all they needed was the ribbons:

The first one came out a little big, so I made another smaller one, so cute!

I managed to spin some yarn this week, but it's not dry enough to take a photo. I did finish the pair of socks that has been languishing in my purse since the spring before camp, though:

Look, photos!

And the kids at the Fair:

We had a great time this year, thanks DH!! Worth a day off school, but it's hard to get back into the routine after an exhausting Wednesday!

Off to the mall!

Peace.

Potential

2010-09-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

There are a couple of things pending in our little family right now, don't want to talk about them, but all good. We shall see...

Camp was lovely, I have a slideshow up on my work website, so come over and visit if you've a mind to. Very cute kids, very nice surroundings.

And just to make sure I never recover, we're going to the Fair tomorrow!

Peace.

Camping

2010-09-26T20:56:00.000-07:00

A mixed weekend, some fun, some not so fun, but overall okay. Glad we don't have any big events until Halloween!

Managed to work on secret project some while I was gone, that's good.

I'm sure I will have more brain cells tomorrow or Tuesday. I'm going to bed now.

Wednesday is our family trip to the L.A. County Fair, so I had better get some sleep while the gettin' is good!

Peace.

And we're off!

2010-09-24T06:18:00.000-07:00

To camp for the first time in 2 years (our usual camp was damaged in the Station Fire last fall so we had to cancel)!

Very exciting!

I will be leading a Nature Photography workshop so I hope for some wildlife. We will be having lots of fun and not cooking until Sunday, yay!

See you when we get back!

And have a great time in Maine, Mom and D!!

Peace.

Finishing!

2010-09-20T06:08:00.000-07:00

Finished my socks-in-progress (since I don't know when last winter) last night.

Finished my blue handspun sweater.

Ripped out slipper--HUGE even for felting, it was a good 3 inches longer than it should have been, weighed 4 ounces and I ran out of the first ball of yarn. Will wear accidentally felted socks from Sock Madness at camp, no worries.

Had the thought the other day, "I really need an orange sweater." Then remembered I have an orange sweater that only needs half a sleeve. That's up next!

Then secret knitting for the hols.

Still no photos, ho hum.

Peace.

Migraine

2010-09-19T06:53:00.001-07:00

That is all.

Reality TV Update (spoilers)

2010-09-18T07:15:00.001-07:00

We have started letting the kids watch our favorite reality shows with us, which leads to a lot of "never say that word" and "really, never say that word" but they aren't words they've never heard so wev.

Worst part is they all air after their bedtime on school nights so we have to record them and watch later, rather than watch as soon as we get home from wherever we were ("Survivor" used to be after church choir, but seems to have moved to Wednesdays).

So last night we watched the Survivor: Nicaragua premiere and the latest episode of Project Runway.

This season of designers is decidedly NOT fabulous. No one has made anything truly exciting or beautiful and Peach was the nicest one and she's gone. Ho hum.
Always listen to Tim. Always. If Tim gave my advice about anything, I would take it.
Of course someone named Wendy went first. This would undoubtedly be my fate as well, so depressing to be first. And she was a goat farmer, come on!
We can't even watch the Top Chef Finale tonight as DH is working.
Darn kids!

Of course, if we didn't like this stuff, it wouldn't matter. I can hardly wait for Amazing Race!

Peace.

Apparently I am old enough

2010-09-16T13:01:00.001-07:00

To get all excited at the arrival of my online progressive bifocals. I can knit and watch TV without my contacts in! I can read without taking off my glasses! No one can tell!

Of course, DH does not like the frames, but there weren't a lot of choices for progressives and no budget for more.

I love them!

Peace.

What is the deal with children?

2010-09-16T09:32:00.000-07:00

We were driving to school this morning, playing a silly game and laughing and then of course someone had to pinch and someone else had to slap and it was all over and Mommy was mad.

Sheesh!

Peace.

Our Screenplay

2010-09-15T11:57:00.000-07:00

"Forsaken", a spaghetti western/horror feature written by my husband Jeffrey and me has made the Finals of the 2010 Page International Screenwriting Competition!!

OMG!!

Congratulations, Sweetheart!!

Sweater finished

2010-09-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

Smaller than the last one, when I make this again, I will make a medium. Pix later (need a shower).

DD has a cold, but went to school, she's a trouper.

DS has picture day today and I forgot until 5:30am and so he had to take a shower this morning, too. But we made it everywhere, even with lunch from home.

Morning off today and then DD will take the bus up to my office for the first time (if she remembers we talked about it last night). I hate it when we make a plan and then I don't remind them in the morning. The school office is going to think I'm a "helicopter parent" but I don't want her to freak out if no one comes to pick her up. And I forgot to give her her phone. Which I will drop off later. Sheesh.

On to spinning some Wensleydale singles for new slippers before camp next weekend!

Oh, and Christine O'Donnell is a nutjob, just saying. Go Dems!

Peace.

Almost done!

2010-09-14T17:34:00.000-07:00

With replacing a lost handknit sweater with a new handspun one of the same pattern, seriously 8 long rows and a bind off and that baby is on! I love seamless knitting, can you tell?

Pictures tomorrow sometime.

And I've proven that this sweater can be knit from 20 ounces of wool so I could theoretically spin up a more multicolored version out of 5 bumps of anything I want in the stash. Mm, singles...

Work has quieted down, planning for camp next weekend.

Teaching the Girl Scout Troop to crochet this Saturday, maybe someone will get the fiber bug, you never know!

Off to Middle School Back-to-School Night and GATE parent meeting, good times.

Peace.

Remembering 9/11

2010-09-12T18:48:00.000-07:00

I just read the story of a guy who survived, who tried to help and did help in a tangible way, taking an Orthodox Jewish woman home to Brooklyn. And it brought back some of the feelings I had even from the West Coast.

I was home with my 5-week old son and his 2 year old sister, my husband had been listening on the radio to Howard Stern and came out to tell me that the first Tower had collapsed. My first thought was that there was some sort of terrible structural problem. Then we turned on the TV. And didn't turn it off for days. We were watching when the second Tower came down. We were watching it over and over and over. What I remembered so vividly tonight is all the people who had lost someone wandering around downtown with pictures of their loved ones, "Have you seen this woman?" "Have you seen my son?"

We all waited breathlessly, stunned, for someone, anyone, to come out, to be rescued, to be found alive under all that rubble. For someone to show up at a hospital hurt but alive. For one of those lost to be found. But we were disappointed.

That Friday we had a special church service where I sing and I stood and sang "America, the Beautiful." To this day, when I get to that last verse I cannot help but tear up, no matter where, no matter when.

It is hard to let our dream of America be "undimmed by human tears" when we think of this terrible tragedy that happened to all of us, some more than others. But we must. We must continue to be a country of laws, a country of tolerance and acceptance, a country of love and diversity. A country of true freedom and liberty based on our Constitution.

Oh, beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years.
Thine alabaster cities' gleam undimmed by human tears.
America, America, God mend thine every flaw.
Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law.

Peace.

Today is the Day!

2010-09-11T06:24:00.001-07:00

Huge event at work, hope it all goes well for everyone!!

Peace.

A Parenting Question

2010-09-10T09:48:00.001-07:00

So today I went in to the Middle School to help with teaching choir parts. DD seemed okay with it (and I was really trying not to be embarrassing or anything) until the Altos came back in with the teacher, at which point I was finished. Then she just shut down and got angry. Don't know if it was at me as I couldn't get her to say anything to me, or if someone was nasty to her or something. Now I have to wait the whole day to find out what happened and maybe I did something wrong (in the mind of the tween).

I feel like it's important to be present at school, to show her that I'm involved and I care about what's going on, to be helpful in ways that might lead her to better parts when she's older, too.

But if she really doesn't want me there because it causes social weirdness, what's the best call? I feel like being present is important, kind of whether she likes it or not, but I don't want to make middle school more difficult for her, it's hard enough. Are my memories of horrible middle school showing?

Any advice appreciated!

Peace.

Thursday Bullet Post

2010-09-09T06:52:00.000-07:00

Survived Wednesday, exhausted. Feel like I worked, fell asleep and am going straight back to work.
This is not true, since I almost finished Sleeve #2 on my sweater last night so I couldn't have been asleep.
Less than 72 hours till big work event is over. I am not the only one who will be relieved!
Have to go to work 3 different times today. But two of them are pretty much all fun!
DH's car was much less expensive to fix than we thought and was finished the same day, yay!
Ants are still terrible.
I think I have enough yarn to finish my sweater. Which means I will dye, spin and knit another one in a different color after my holiday knitting is done.

Peace.

What day is it?

2010-09-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

Oh, yeah, these three-day weekends throw me off, plus our schedule totally changes this week, as I have said.

DD went to Ballet class for the first time since she was about 5 yesterday and came home tired and stretched out, but I think that will go well. And she got a good though small role in "Bye, Bye, Birdie" at school which will be lots of fun for all of them, I think.

DS did okay on his math test, but could do better. Should do so today.

I was supposed to start teaching classes at my job today but not enough people registered for them to pay me so ho hum. More time to do regular work is good anyway. And we're starting a Knitting Club in support of a new Prayer Shawl Ministry so I get to knit at work, yay! Will start a Feather and Fan Comfort Shawl for that purpose in some yarn kindly given to me by a church member cleaning out her stash. Good repurposing, yes?

Imogen is coming along but no new photos. Finished sleeve 1, started sleeve 2. Would be wearing it today, so better stay on top of it! Next up: new slippers from felted handspun before going camping.

Yes, felting handspun is decadent. But I don't know what else to do with Wensleydale that I like the colors of and I love slippers.

DH's car broke down yesterday so we're rather dreading the call from the mechanic. How much to spend on a car that old, blah, blah, blah. Any free cars the universe wants to offer up (it usually does for some reason) would be greatly appreciated! OTOH, I missed my dental appointment, which is both good (for the five-year-old in my head) and bad (for the grownup), but it wasn't an emergency or anything.

Peace to you on this cool, foggy, lovely day!

Guess I took a day off blogging, too

2010-09-07T06:43:00.000-07:00

But it was nice!

We went to see the Special Edition Avatar 3-D (we had seen it before in 2-D) and it is just beautiful and the added footage is a plus, not gratuitous at all. I could watch that movie many more times, and will eventually.

Did a little work just to get something done before today's wasted time in a meeting. Not wasted so much as less productive?

Today it hits the fan, though.

Work, then dentist (me, blech), then dinner, Liturgical Dance Team practice and Ballet Class and then home to bed. We find out about the School Play audition results for DD and last week's test results for DS.

I won't have time to breathe again until Thursday, if then. We have a big event at work on Saturday for which I will have to practice on Thursday and help on Friday (my day off) not to mention work on Saturday at least 9-6. I shall clutch at moments of peace where they fall.

May they fall upon me frequently!

And you.

Taking a 3-day weekend

2010-09-05T15:00:00.001-07:00

In a 24/7 business.

Well, not really 24/7, but sort of on-call 24/7.

I'm taking my holiday. Regardless of imminent enormous logistically chaotic event's rapid approach. Regardless of rumors of my non-involvement running rampant. Regardless of my own preparedness for my own portion of said event's woefulness.

I'm taking Labor Day off.

We're going to see "Avatar" again in 3-D!

OMG, Knitting content!!! I'm working on a handspun Imogen to replace my Malabrigo one that went missing:

And the knitting so far:

Peace.

A Very Smart Person agrees with me

2010-09-04T08:06:00.000-07:00

Robert Reich:

If there was ever a time for bold government action it is precisely now. Obama should be storming the country, demanding the largest responses to the jobs emergency in history. He and the Dems should be giving Republicans hell for their indifference to all this.

Read the whole thing.

Peace.

Don't make a sound!

2010-09-04T06:50:00.001-07:00

9-year-old just turned off the TV on Saturday morning to READ.

Move along, nothing to see here...

Peace.

Trying not to get beaten down

2010-09-03T12:26:00.000-07:00

But if I have to keep hearing about how wimpy and demoralized and scared and off-message Democrats are right before the voting in an election about how unhappy and angry and freaked out everyone is, I will lose my mind.

I'm a member of the disaffected, and they should never have lost me. I used to be out there cheering them on.

We need, still, political leaders who will stand up for what is RIGHT, stand up for the CONSTITUTION and the RULE OF LAW. Leaders who stop worrying about getting reelected and make the country BETTER.

I get that they can't do anything if they get voted out. But for God's sake, you're about to be voted out anyway! What the hell, why don't you take some chances?

If the Left doesn't get the messaging out there that the Right ruined everything and we're about to hand it all back to them and go into a Depression (of every sort), it will be as bad as it ever was in short order.

Peace.

I'm going to count this as yesterday

2010-09-03T06:38:00.001-07:00

Since I fell asleep rather unexpectedly (by me, not by my family)!

A little warning of what's coming, though. Next week we start all of our extracurricular activities: Tap on Mondays (and rehearsal possibly), Ballet and Skateboarding on Tuesdays, Choir on Wednesdays (and teaching for me), Drawing on Thursdays, Choir on Fridays, Irish Dance on Saturdays. That's not including Scouts (both) or Baseball (after Christmas).

This is the first year I will drop something if we can't handle it. And Drawing and Skateboarding are short and sweet.

I'm glad we have the long weekend (and I have today off) first!

Peace.

Kicking off!

2010-09-01T06:58:00.000-07:00

This is the real start day for my decision to blog every day. Wish me luck!

Work was better yesterday, thank goodness. Heard an interesting story, got a lot of work done, daughter's audition went well, son seems to have made up a conflict with a friend. Now if only I could get something done on my work website...

Peace.

The Plan for Today

2010-08-31T06:33:00.000-07:00

Slow and steady, no yelling.

Spend an hour in prayer with some lovely ladies (if they show up) and on my own if they don't.

Sweetness and light, that's me.

Peace.

This is just not my day

2010-08-30T20:10:00.000-07:00

I just spent 45 minutes working on my work website only to have it disappear into the blogosphere. I give up. Tomorrow will be better, it could hardly be worse!

However, if you want to get a laugh out of a REALLY bad day, go over to Heide's place!

Peace.

Well, I'm glad that's over (I think)

2010-08-30T14:11:00.001-07:00

Just had it out a bit with one of my bosses. Guess we both needed to vent, which is fine. A little yelling between friends is okay, right?

At least I feel like I said my piece.

It's very hard working at a church because the expectations are that when you run out of working hours, you will just continue on. I have never worked anywhere else that thinks employees should or would do that (except maybe Walmart, but even they have to lock the doors to keep them in).

The rules are there for a reason and they are there to protect employees from being intimidated into working for free. That's why they are there.

And I do volunteer there, as well. I just have a line-in-the-sand: I will not volunteer to do my job. Help out in another area, sure. Help with an event that everyone is working together on, okay, when I can. Unfortunately as my enthusiasm for the institution wanes, so does my willingness. Ho-freaking-hum.

So here's to clearing the air and setting boundaries. Long may they reign!

Peace.

One decision made, anyway.

2010-08-29T20:14:00.000-07:00

I am going to blog every day. Every single day. Even if it's just a little bit. I read an awful lot and have an awful lot to say about it, of course. I shall say it here.

So there.

Peace.

What do I do now?

2010-08-29T18:57:00.001-07:00

So I'm confronted (in a nice way) with a sort of request that I figure out what the hell I want to do next.

And I don't really know.

Over the course of my life so far, I've wanted to be a lot of things, some more practical than others. Sign language interpreter, opera singer, a bunch of things. Lately, since my job is partly a webmaster position, I've thought about being not a website designer but a content provider, a writer for sites, something like that. But it has been brought home to me that I really don't KNOW anything. I'm a decent writer and high-information political junkie with a little experience with CSS and HTML but nothing huge. I do plan to take a course in HTML in the next year, but that doesn't seem like a dream, you know?

I would like to write for maybe a radio station website (I love radio) or a political campaign or political website (Talking Points Memo internship sounds really great right now; unfortunately it would involve getting an internship at my advanced years and moving my family to DC with no visible means of support). There are certainly areas I am excited about and would like to write about. But, again, I don't have a PoliSci degree or anything, I'm just a self-taught occasional political blogger that no one reads.

And yet I feel as though this might be my chance to choose something new to do, something that would keep me interested and passionate until the end of my working life. Which isn't that far away, realistically speaking. Relatively.

So is now the time to go back to school? To look for an internship or training program? To throw everything up in the air (again) and see where it falls? The last time we did that it was for my husband to come out to L.A., which has had its ups and downs, but the kids are incredible and we are at least functional at this point.

In my heart of hearts, I would like to be able to stop struggling so hard and spend a few years becoming a Master Spinner, write a book and teach spinning and spin forever and ever. Yeah. I know. But that is because I have always wanted to stop doing anything tedious and just do interesting fun things. I'm basically lazy, after all.

Perhaps it's time to decide what I DON'T want to do and at least eliminate some options. I do NOT want to be a lawyer. I do NOT want to go back to secretarial work unless it's a dire emergency. I do NOT want to choose what I'm doing just to make money and not to feed my soul. Which argues for staying with what I do now, as although it is not perfect, does offer a path to some fulfillment most of the time. I do NOT want to go into the ministry (ha!).

I think I need to think some more...

We are America!!

2010-08-12T12:33:00.001-07:00

Same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional!!

Motion to Stay denied!!

I feel like getting married myself!!

Congratulations, all!! Down with hate!! Up with love!!

Back to School!

2010-08-03T08:52:00.000-07:00

And work!

All good!

We have enjoyed our summer and I, for one, am ready for some new challenges and the energy I get from the fall(ish) weather.

We visited family we haven't seen for years and years and added a new state to our list (Vermont). We spent time with our relatives. We learned a lot at swim lessons and recharged our batteries. We got more familiar with new technologies and came to realizations about what we would like to learn about in the future.

I am excited about new volunteer opportunities at Middle School (hopefully with the choir program) and the return of Family Camp at work/church. I have a new appreciation for the great things about my job: schedule, nice co-workers, supportive boss, fun and satisfying work. I am excited about the new choir season, as well, with a lovely director who respects and appreciates his staff.

I am hopeful about my son's class this year. It will be a bit of a struggle, perhaps, helping him to regain his enthusiasm about school, but given just a bit of the right kind of energy, he will manage.

It was a scary summer financially and that continues on for a bit, but the end is in sight. And we will survive once more. Even if we have to go through this again next year, as long as there is enough to be going on with, the pros outweigh the cons. I'm a bit amazed by that, but there it is. The situation has made me so unhappy, off and on, and I need to come to a peaceful resolution in my own heart, but I think I'm there and can go back to the office with a happy heart, ready for the challenges to come.

I hope to be blogging more this year and writing more about politics and current events than I managed to do last year. I should make a schedule...

Now let's enjoy the last lovely days of vacation before the work begins!

May peace prevail upon the earth.

Vacation 2010

2010-07-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

I shall refer to it that way to encourage the Multiverse to not make me take a furlough again next summer.

At any rate, having a lovely time!

We started out in Essex, Vermont for my brother's wedding:

It was luxurious, fun, cold, hot, relaxing, nourishing and wonderful!

Congratulations, C and M! Hope you're having a fabulous honeymoon! And great thanks to my father for the amazing experience, especially the chance to get us all together. What a gift!

Then we moved on to New Jersey where I took no pictures, what is the deal with that? Oh, one:

Hope somebody took pictures later...mom? Doug?

Then the kids went to Pennsylvania with dad, where they still are and I came home to my (hopefully? possibly?) annual recharging time at home with the dog. I'm about ready for some people now, you can come back!

However, uninterrupted time to work on big projects--Girl Scout Troop film, cleaning out dressers, reorganizing spinning fiber and catching up with Doctor Who--really great!

Taking the summer off from most of my job is a mixed bag, certainly, especially for the bank account, but it's only money, right? Time with family, time with spouse, time with children, time with dogs? Priceless.

May peace prevail upon the earth.

A Chat Room for a Meeting

2010-06-29T17:19:00.001-07:00

Hoping this works! If you are coming here for a virtual meeting about BAM! Camp, please click on the link below:

Enter my Chat Room

Free Chat Rooms by Bravenet.com

Furlough: Day 5

2010-06-18T18:30:00.000-07:00

What happens if you take Advil with Chardonnay?

Yes, that is a real question. I will perhaps report back or else I will be asleep.

I hurt my left foot wearing my fancy boots in the play on Sunday and have finally realized that Advil is better than limping. Yeah, I'm very bright. Ahem.

Finding that my furlough is very productive. Every other day. On alternate days I get absolutely nothing done and read a lot out in the backyard. That's not so bad, of course. Tomorrow had better be productive.

I'm almost done with Father's Day stuff, though, that's good. Still amazed that I can use 2 computers at the same time (not so much can but WANT TO) as I am blogging and watching the Podcast of Countdown from last night on the other one at the same time. Can't think of a reason that the netbook won't be enough for vacation but I am getting paranoid about knitting patterns I might need on vacation.

What is the most important thing to pack for vacation? Knitting projects, hands down.

Can you tell I took Advil with Chardonnay? Perhaps I should stop now.

Peace.

Furlough: Day 4(

2010-06-17T15:28:00.000-07:00

I seem to have somewhat recovered from that last rant. I'm disappointed, but the President continues to do his best, I reckon. Wish the speech had satisfied me more. Wish we were doing a "Manhattan Project" or Man on the Moon project to get us completely off of fossil fuels in 10 years.

Wish we were funding a stimulus package that put a solar panel on every roof in America.

Wish we were making electric cars cheap enough for regular folks. Wish Tony Hayward would STFU.

At least my commute is now dramatically shorter!

Getting Father's Day stuff in the mail today, still doing laundry and dishes (endlessly). Four people home all the time trying not to use paper products make a LOT of dishes.

About 5/6 of the way through my knitting project I want to finish to wear to my brother's wedding over July 4th weekend. Looking forward to Vermont!!!

Peace.

Well, that was disappointing

2010-06-15T17:21:00.000-07:00

What I needed the President to day was HOW we are going to transition from fossil fuels.

What he is going to do and when (like tomorrow) to get us into renewables.

How this crisis will FINALLY end our national addiction to petroleum.

HOW he will stimulate the research and development into wind and solar power for ORDINARY PEOPLE so that we are all participating in stopping climate change.

I have been feeling sick and powerless and that this oil volcano is sucking the life out of our country every bit as palpably as the torturers and the illegal wiretappers sucked the integrity out of it during the Bush/Cheney regime. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE.

Why have we elected Democrats if they cannot just stand the f*ck up and take care of the general welfare??!?

Political will? Conventional wisdom? I don't care any more. I need someone to stand up and do what needs to be done, regardless of polling, regardless of re-elections, regardless of anything except what is right.

This speech did nothing to staunch the flow of hope from my spirit nor the flow of oil from that hole in the sea floor.

I get that he can't stop the oil himself by force of will. But he could certainly put billions behind solar power, billions into electric cars, billions into wind farms, billions into the jobs those industries would create. Put the billions out there, Mr. President. Let the deficit hawks screech, let them. There is right and there is wrong and there is way too much wrong in this.

Get the respirators on the workers, get the oil out of the water, get the billions from BP and get them soon.

There is right and there is wrong. You can do a lot if you do not let FEAR make decisions for you. I do not believe you are a fearful person. But I have seen you succumb to the lure of bipartisanship, the lure of compromise, the lure of being liked. It is already too late for that. Your legacy is about to be the death of the Gulf Coast. It's not your fault, but it will be on your watch.

I've read too much science fiction not to understand how people will talk about this apocalypse. The Death of the Gulf Coast. It's not your Katrina. It's not your anything but it is OUR Chernobyl. It is OUR Bhopal. We already lost a city, must we lose more and more? Shit, every time I start my car, I'm contributing to this. It makes me sick.

Progressives believe that our politicians think more about our country than themselves, more about the common good than about the good of the rich and powerful. Prove it. Prove it now.

That speech proved nothing.

Peace.

Furlough: Day 2

2010-06-15T07:02:00.000-07:00

A good excuse for blogging?

Any excuse is a good excuse for blogging!

Last night I decided in a panic because I can't get my hair cut until at least Saturday (woe is me!) that I needed something to wrap around my head. So I crocheted a little headband but couldn't quite figure out the ends so I kind of made that part up.

Very cute, of course DD wants it. Fine. I'm in the middle of another one out of that yarn.

But I was thinking...

I'm taking 7 kids to see Shrek 3 this morning ($1 tickets!) and maybe, just maybe, those girls would like to make their own headbands while we're waiting in line. So out come the crochet hooks and the bag of sock yarn scraps. We'll see if they are willing in a little while, but they've proven pretty crafty in the past.

I think DS would learn it on his own or with just the girls. Not sure about with his male friends this morning so I will have to ask him. And then come up with 3 more hooks, yikes!

I will let you know how it turns out!

Peace.

The Upside

2010-06-14T06:53:00.001-07:00

Today is my first day off in...three weeks.

It is also my first day off of two months of days off.

Which is good and bad, as you can imagine. But I will focus on the good! Because today is Pajama Day at our little house! No one is getting dressed until it's time to go swimming this afternoon. Oh, except for Daddy who does in fact have to go to work. Sorry, Daddy!

I am on a two-month furlough from two of my three jobs (they are all at the same place) which hurts the bank balance, but not the psyche, I hope. I shall knit and spin and clean and watch Doctor Who and spend time with my family (near and far).

What was I doing working the last three weeks every day? Vacation Bible School!

Which out of the 7 I've been involved with was absolutely one of the top 2 and possibly the best. In some ways it was the easiest, even though I used to have a smaller job. But the kids and youth were the most engaged I've ever seen. The teachers were all at the top of their game. The Director (congratulations, A!) was terrific and creative and fun. And on top of it all, I got to spend a lot of time with wonderful people (A, J, K, this means you!!) and get paid for it. What's better than that?

Kids are good. DD on swim team, DS trying valiantly to get to the next level so he can join her. We are looking forward to our trip to Vermont/New Jersey/Pennsylvania in a couple of weeks. The dog is cute, the fridge is full, the house is a mess but I will fix that.

Coffee time! Have a great day!

May peace prevail upon the earth.

Congratulations, everyone!

2010-05-02T19:07:00.000-07:00

Big choir concert today, with solos by our Section Leaders (I'm the soprano) and Guest artists Arthur Wand and Katie Trimble, wonderful work!!

Video to come!

Day off tomorrow, whew!

It is what it is.

2010-04-28T14:46:00.000-07:00

I know, you hate that.

Okay.

But it IS.

What is worse than someone doing something to you that you do that irritates people?

I keep having to explain why someone's behavior toward me is so awful and thoughtless--in a way that I am sometimes awful and thoughtless myself. Sheesh.

Heads up.

It's so easy to forget that something you've done that doesn't affect you any more is still affecting someone else. Or hasn't yet started to affect them but soon will. And they remember it.

Or rather I should say I remember it.

Your agenda is not my agenda. You won, I get it. Doesn't make me want to suck up to you, though. Doesn't make me think your jokes are funny. Doesn't make me want to shut up about it. Doesn't make me give you any leeway.

One does learn in show business, or one should, that when you get the big part, when you get to do the most fun stuff, you need to be nicer to everyone else. You need to bake cookies and host the party and make sure everyone got a good luck rose, you know?

If you're in charge and someone gets hurt and you didn't stop it or stand up for them, be nice to them for a while. Be extra nice. Noblesse oblige, buddy. Just saying.

Putting it aside, knitting a hat for a friend. Trying to remember I forget sometimes, too, to be extra nice when I win.

Be nice to your underlings. It pays off.

Peace.

That was the week that was (if it were over)

2010-04-17T08:20:00.001-07:00

Ever have one of those weeks where you did so many things, you were running around so much that you feel like you got nothing done at all? That was the week that was (if it were over, which it's not).

Yesterday I had the day off from everything, though, so I feel a lot more focused today.

Today I help set up a booth at our school Carnival, work another booth at same, then go to my son's baseball game, from which my daughter will be picked up to go on a Girl Scout activity that I don't have time to go on due to baseball game. But then we can come home.

I seriously need to clean the house (teaching a voice lesson on Monday) and knit on my Sock Madness Round 3 socks and that stuff will get done. But I will also take a breath.

Sunday I help out at work (one of my jobs has the weekend off, the other one is really busy so I'm wearing my other hat) and then we have Cub Scout Pinewood Derby where DS has won "Most Creative" car two years running. Now he thinks he'll win every year, oh, well. ]

Speaking of Sock Madness, I am knitting on but will probably be eliminated today or tomorrow and that's fine. I have been requested to knit a replacement hat for a lovely elderly gentleman of my acquaintance and DD needs a special pair of socks for part of her costume for the spring recital, so I need to get started on that. A hat for a 90-year-old has time pressure, you know?

Anyway, sorry no pictures, no time to shoot or upload. Maybe later!

May peace prevail upon the earth.

Spring is here once again!

2010-04-10T15:19:00.001-07:00

And with it, Sock Madness 4! Crazy to do it again, but I have made Round 3, so here we are. I'm not trying to make it anywhere in particular, but am enjoying the process so far and am eager for the next round to begin.

Round 3 will be knit with some lovely souvenir yarn I got from my Stepdad in Vermont, Green Mountain Spinnery Sock Art:

And an artsy picture to go with (just learned to change depth of field on the computer).

In the meantime, I am knitting a Garter Yoke Cardigan from some handspun (the yoke) and some commercial yarn (Araucania Nature Wool): So far, so good, but will go to sleep for a while during the next Round of SM.

In non fibery news, kids are doing well. DS playing baseball, DD doing very well academically. DS was Student of the Month for Academics last month, even! Work is VERY busy but we survived Easter happily (nice change from past years with creepy boss).

Upcoming: Spring Concert (great solos!), Spring Recital, preparation and carrying out of Vacation Bible School, Girl Scout Camp and then I start a 2-month furlough from work, which though financially nervous-making, will be very relaxing I expect.

Off to get our lottery number for swim lessons!

May peace prevail upon the earth.

A month? Really?

2010-03-29T13:51:00.000-07:00

Wow. Well, lots going on in RL, after all.

Mom came for Spring Break, yay!!

We ran around like maniacs, when we weren't watching C-Span.

DS cut himself at Cub Scouts and got 4 stitches.

I was in a play at work, which as these things do, turned out to be a lot more time than anticipated, but also, not as these things tend to do, a lot more fun than anticipated in the end. We're doing it again in May.

Sock Madness 4 is in Round 2 and so am I. Round 1 socks:

Round 2 socks so far:

Lots of fun! Not trying too hard, hoping to make Round 3.

And picture of the kids after we came out of the ER.

Stitches out tomorrow!

May peace prevail upon the earth.

A Quiet Week, considering

2010-02-26T06:23:00.000-08:00

DD has been at camp all week with school.

No fighting.

But I miss her! Lunchtime today, she will be home, filled with new experiences and stories to tell, yay!

Meanwhile, DS has been in despair with the missing of the sister. "The house is not the same." "Can I stay up till she gets back?" Too bad he won't remember not to pester her. He's planning to give her a PRESENT.

In work news, no news is good news, I guess. There will be another (unpleasant? nonevent?) meeting next Tuesday after which I think it will all go away at least until this time next year. Or not.

I've been fibering for the Ravelympics, though and finished projects for both of my events:

Sock Hockey Firefly socks, 2-ply BFL dyed by Twisted Fiber Arts in Firefly colorway and

Flying Camel Spin

Navajo plied Shetland from Spunky Eclectic in Selfish

I think I meant to 2-ply that, but ended up wanting to N-ply, which I really enjoy. I would do it more, but to get a true sock yarn, the singles are SO thin, it takes forever, like lace.

I didn't ever work on the sweater yarn, too much stress at work to do a big project, but I feel like I did accomplish something considering all the circumstances.

Today I will start the sweater yarn and watch both the long and short programs of the Ladies Singles. I know the results, but I hear the performances were amazing so I don't want to miss them!

May peace prevail upon the earth.

On Retreat...

2010-02-19T12:23:00.000-08:00

Wish it was from everything, but it is in fact work related, oh, well.

I shall knit!

May peace prevail upon the earth.

A Crock

2010-02-18T13:26:00.000-08:00

Having trouble with Lenten forgiveness today--I broke down last night at Ash Wednesday about my inability think of people as Christians who behave in a Christianist way. I loathe Christianists.

Why does Man have to get his dirty little fingers into everything of God's?

In fiber content (and thank goodness for knitting as therapy), I finished my green sweater:

Cascade 220, 6 skeins, almost all used up, maybe 30 yards left. Size 38ish. Size 6 and 7 needles.

Loved knitting this, although the body did get a bit dull. Went quickly when I focused on it. Would make this again in a heartbeat. Hoping I can use it, brightness regardless, as a throw-on-anytime sweatshirt sort of garment.

Also finished the first sock for the Ravelympics: and did the ribbing and one repeat of sock 2 so far. Have decided not to drive myself up to the mountains tomorrow so should have plenty of car knitting time this weekend, yay!

May peace prevail upon the earth (and in my heart).

Knitting Olympics starts today!

2010-02-12T07:44:00.000-08:00

And not unlike many who compete, I will be participating for the joy of it, not the medals.

I have completed the challenges in both my previous Olympics, but the stress is so bad at work, I can't add any pressure outside unnecessarily. And of course, now I'm sick.

So I will be there with you all! I will go to the Opening Ceremonies and knit. I will spin every day. If I finish the socks, I will be thrilled; if I don't, I won't be disappointed. Participation is the most important thing.

Great luck to all who are in the running for medals, Go for the Gold!

May peace prevail upon the earth.

We may have come to an agreement.

2010-02-11T06:10:00.001-08:00

But it still is suckish, as my newly-minted 11-year-old would say.

Looks like I'm still employed, though, which in this economy is most likely a good outcome. Resigning on principle is hard when unemployment sits over 10%.

And principle is one of my 8-year-old's spelling words this week!

I'm not alone, either. I found out yesterday that if the teachers in our district don't agree to a pay cut, the classes are going to be even bigger next year due to even more layoffs. We've had a very difficult year with a combination 2nd-3rd grade class and I wouldn't want that to get worse. But I really feel for the teachers right now!

Here's hoping that the economy picks up, people go back to getting married and having parties, there are new shows and books to work on, pilots get bought, pilot season comes back at all, Healthcare reform passes in some actually useful form. All of that would help my family directly.

But if not, until that time, we hunker down and remember we're still in better shape than we used to be. We still have each other, the dryer works (thanks, D!!), our summer vacation tickets are already purchased, we have plenty of yarn, fabulous friends and it will all work out in the end. Yes?

On the fiber front, I've been under so much stress about everything I just cannot add any pressure about the Olympics. I'll do what I can and probably manage the socks. But I was also going to spin for a sweater and I will work on that. But this week and last week really kicked my *ss on the green sweater and I would REALLY like to finish it now that I'm halfway done with the hood and all there is left after that is the button bands, NO SEWING UP! Gotta hand it to top-down design!

So my new Olympic goals are to wear this sweater and to knit socks out of handspun. Anything more than that is gravy.

May peace prevail upon the earth.

Back to Fiber Content

2010-02-02T07:35:00.000-08:00

Due to the work stuff giving me panic attacks.

Anyway, finished a pair of socks last week (thanks, play rehearsals for something) and have reached sleeve island on the green sweater. I REALLY want to finish this before the Ravelympics craziness begins.

Speaking of Ravelympics, though, I will be trying to complete two projects this time, one spinning and one knitting (one for home, one for out).

I will be spinning 4 different colorways together for a Snowbird sweater: This is a sort of color corrected picture of the swatch. This yarn might photograph better in a light box but I still haven't built one, ho hum

I will also be knitting socks in the Firefly colorway out of handspun BFL:

I'm competing for a few teams: Team Big Damn Heroes (Firefly fans), Team Madness (Sock Madness people), Spinning Knitters and (the one my kids get a kick out of) Team Monkey Farts (Spunky Eclectic fans). We don't even let the kids say "fart" in company so they think this is way breaking the rules!

In fun work news, I'm spending a lot of time pumping up the website--I put the very first digital audio file of a sermon up last night (it took me 4 hours to figure it out) and will be adding a Youth Chat Room and Discussion Forums by the end of the week. Maybe they can hash things out digitally! Will give them a place to vent, anyway, I suppose, except that the people who want to vent aren't online....and don't get it AT ALL.

May peace prevail upon the earth (and at my church).

Not really whew...

2010-01-29T09:00:00.000-08:00

Employed for another month--they froze everyone not already leaving.

Very unpleasant and difficult meeting. Everything I do was brought out and deemed valueless by someone. Of course, someone else always piped up to disagree, so great thanks to all the supporters!!

We shall see. Trying to stay calm and happy regardless while surrounded by angry, upset, worried, nervous people. Literally surrounded.

Peace.

After all that?!?!

2010-01-26T17:43:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow night I find out if I have a job or not. Yikes!

Of course, my plan didn't work anyway. I worked a LOT on Monday and worked at home with a sick child today. Will be there 8 hours tomorrow.

At least I got some stuff done today!

Wish me luck.

ETA: That's what I get for saying "I'm in control!" I have no control over any of it! Should have known that would bite me in the ass.

May peace prevail upon the earth (and in my office).

Is it time to say "No?"

2010-01-23T09:27:00.001-08:00

Well, yes, it is.

Political Correctness stops me.

But this is it, I tell you, "finally and forever." No more.

I am in a situation where I cannot decline, but under normal circumstances I most definitely would. I need to suck it up and enjoy it as much as possible. And I will. I've decided to knit whenever I don't have to do something. And believe me, that will be most of the time. And so I will somehow benefit from it, I guess.

But I dearly wish that I could listen to my "say no now" radar and decline to participate at all. Ho hum.

However, the next 10 things anybody asks me to add to my schedule, I say no. Unless I drop something else. I'm going to think of myself as an overscheduled child who will have a meltdown if I do One. More. Thing.

So.

Today is pretty bad.

Tomorrow less so. Next week, I will undercommit in every direction possible, and it won't be too hard since my daughter is away at Science Camp all week so I don't have to do her stuff. I will probably do more work at home. I will relax and carve out some time for myself, regardless of my level of empathy for those around me who have gotten themselves into worse situations than mine. This week, I am in control.

Thank you for listening!

May peace prevail upon the earth!!! And in my office!!!

"I'm ambivalent."

2010-01-02T07:16:00.000-08:00

A phrase my parents taught me when I was barely speaking, I guess to amuse their friends. It must have been funny, though!

But I am a bit.

The last ten years were the first ten years of motherhood, which has been just the most amazing experience of my life. My children are thriving, intelligent, healthy, a joy to my life and cause of much consternation (of course).

The last ten years have been something of a political and social awakening, however, and not for good reasons. The Bush Years, starting with the Supreme Court appointment of the President, through the worst terrorist attack on American soil, through the heartless reaction to Hurricane Katrina, straight on through the things we are still learning about torture and politicization and pointless war. I became a high-information voter, a blogger, a writer of news (with a left-leaning bias, admittedly), and a videographer by necessity to stop my head from exploding.

My relationships have had their ups and downs but seem to be going in a good direction. I have certainly clarified what I think my purpose is here in the world and in my community. And I have come to many conclusions about how I would like my life to be going forward.

So, although I am not making any resolutions to break and be disappointed in myself (honestly, haven't we done enough of that?), I do have hopes for the Tens or the Tweens or whatever they are:

I hope my children turn out well-adjusted and find something that they are passionate about to do.
I hope everyone around me knows how much I love them.
I hope my marriage grows in love and friendship
I hope that the people in power in our country find a way to be truly compassionate, to work for the common good, to remember "the general welfare" is in our founding documents, to shine some light in the dark places that will shame us, but sterilize us as well.

And I hope for you, my dear readers, that your Tweens are healthy, happy, joyous, fulfilling, fun, challenging and whatever you want them to be!

May peace prevail upon the earth.

The family seems to have taken off...

2009-12-22T14:59:00.001-08:00

On their second attempt. Although the first attempt was aborted before anyone even got up in the morning so it wasn't too bad. Here's hoping they don't end up stuck anywhere along the way. They did give up an extra stop when we changed, too, so that's good.

The wind is incredible here today!

This is just a quick post to say...well...sometimes one can be too helpful? Maybe?

I have a fabulous job which I love. I have had this job since April. I should have known better than to screw around with it. But it wasn't my idea and I was just trying to help, really. But having the s**t hit the fan today, instigated by me somewhat looking for better and clearer communications, was probably a good thing. My thoughts about it are clearer, I feel less guilty, I've been heard and that's important.

Working in the non-profit sector, one is often asked to do things without compensation or to do more than one would in another situation. I'm sure this happens in the for-profit world as well, but there are rules about overtime and such everywhere that come into play. But in the for-profit sector, there is no guilt about working overtime, unless you're taking a lot of time away from your family. In the non-profit sector, especially if the institution is something that you believe passionately in and really want to help to grow and thrive, the boundaries are less easy to set.

However, boundaries are necessary, aren't they? Everywhere. Starting with no, I need to go home and study now; proceeding to no, I need to have a little joy in my life while I'm pregnant and exhausted (that was when I started to take every other Friday off); and then, no, I can't nurse you every 20 minutes all night long forever. Followed by, no, I can't volunteer for everything all the time, but I will do these specific things every week all year. Followed by, apparently, no, I can't work 35% more hours for no more money. Yes, I will work overtime and make it up later when we're not busy. Yes, I will be there when you need me, when I can, even if it's a lot and not convenient. And yes, I support your mission in every way possible. But I cannot make 35% more hours for no more money work out in any way that I don't come in angry every day.

And the thing is I come in happy every day. I come in early and happy! I love my job and it's perfect just the way it is. Overtime and high expectations and emotional investment and everything, I love it! I love my co-workers and bosses, I love my office! What I will not do is throw away all the happy for any amount of money. So, sorry, guys, I think I shall have to decline in the end. I hope you find another way to work it out, I really do, and I'm happy to help when I can. When I can. Not when my kids need me, not when I should be sleeping, not instead of volunteering at school or at scouts, not instead of making homemade chicken soup for dinner, not instead of knitting or spinning or reading or watching TV with my dear, dear husband. Not then, no, not then. But when I can, I will. And I guess now you know that when I can't, I won't.

Boundaries are good. Boundaries are necessary. Boundaries are hard.

Peace.

Lordy McLorderson, who has time to blog?

2009-12-18T07:03:00.001-08:00

Not me! Sorry!

Christmas knitting is done, though, and cookies.

Got a bit stressed this week with all of it AND working this many hours. Realized a bit late in the game that this is the first time I've had to do Christmas AND work this many hours, so duh. When I used to work an office job, I would start baking right after Thanksgiving and just get it all in the freezer little by little. I probably should have done that this year. Next time!

I do have a few pix of Christmas knitting, though, as none of my giftees read here AFAIK:

For my boss/singing partner/co-worker/friend:

For my son's 3rd Grade teacher (handspun):

For my daughter's 5th Grade teacher (handspun):

For my new Music Director's wife (they don't eat cookies):

You'll just have to believe I knit them, no time to take a picture till later this morning (when there's no time to blog. I will update sometime as I have to take a picture before the gifting (Sunday). Poor thing has shingles!

Will knit another Santa hat for DD's new American Girl (that she's getting for Christmas) but not till after they all leave me for a few days.

Today: Make salad for and attend 5th Grade Pasta party, take 2 girls to swimming birthday party for the afternoon, do laundry for trip and pack.

Tomorrow: Girl Scout meeting, rehearsal, concert and everyone ready to go at 5am Sunday. I'm sure it will work out. Now how to get all that done with out my head exploding!

May peace prevail upon the earth.

Oh, and Joy to the World!

Itchy. [UPDATED]

2009-12-05T18:02:00.000-08:00

Having spent weeks (including a few in denial about never having installed a zipper in a sweater, admittedly) knitting DS (8) a new zippered hoodie, he pronounced it "itchy" before even saying thanks. Who brought him up, wolves?

Ahem.

Peace.

UPDATE: After a couple of days, he pronounced this sweater his very favorite ever and has been wearing it ever since. Guess he just needed long sleeves under. All is well.

Friday Afternoon Bullet Post

2009-12-04T14:48:00.000-08:00

Knitting on a pair of socks just like the ones I made my Mom for her birthday. Guess it won't matter that I forgot (again) to take a picture before I put them in the mail!
How come she got all the bright yellow/green?
I am not allowed to cast on anything until I install the zipper in DS's sweater. It is going to rain all next week and he needs it. Stop avoiding!!
Still adding to the list of gloves to make, but am starting to let them fall away again. I think I have two pairs to go for sure, though. Bought some nice smooth yarn--no time to spin and knit both.
Finally following @SarahPalinUSA again on Twitter. Too funny to comment back!
Just finished first 2 oz of Selfish from Spunky Eclectic and plan to navajo ply. Will probably end up with sportweight yarn and knit 52-stitch socks with it, way fast!
Christmas present plans are coming together slowly, slowly. I do all my shopping in my mind first and then either buy online or go out all on one day. Now if only the American Girl website weren't sold out of everything she wants.

Off to pick up kids from school, drive DD to a focus group (she'll make some $) and come home to make dinner and cookie dough for Girl Scout meeting tomorrow.

Have a lovely weekend!

May peace prevail upon the earth.

Thanks, Veterans!

2009-11-11T16:25:00.000-08:00

For all you have done and still do for us!

And for the day off!

No time for pictures, but I managed to spin 4 oz. of natural BFL singles today for gloves for teachers--I will dye the yarn after plying. I want to make Susie's Reading Mitts this year and have already spun some variegated singles, but I really think that a nice smooth almost solid will be much better. I've never spun and then dyed before, but they both want blue, one light, one dark, so it shouldn't be hard to get a nice color.

In other knitting, I'm almost down to the bottom of the armholes on my Basic Chic Hoodie in bright green: Not a color for the faint of heart, but I look forward with great anticipation to throwing this on like a sweat jacket and making myself happy. Thanks, Mom!

Still haven't cast on any socks, though, what's up with that?

DS's sweater is ready for its zipper now, Mr. DeMille. I should have done that today but instead was lazy, lazy, lazy in anticipation of having to go into work tonight holiday or no.

Except for the spinning.

Hoping for time to ply and dye on Saturday!

May peace prevail upon the earth.

Saturday Bullet Point Post

2009-11-07T07:26:00.000-08:00

Joe Lieberman is all about Joe Lieberman, biggest narcissist EVAR. Never underestimate his ability to think about himself.
What is important about the HCR debate is how many people die EVERY DAY in the US due to lack of insurance or underinsurance: 120. 120 people every day in the United States. Anyone who doesn't understand this number is unacceptable is a dick. Full stop.
The Fort Hood shootings are a tragic reaction to terrible fear. That guy did not want to be deployed, for whatever reason, and he totally freaked out. It is awful. It is not terrorism or bad Muslims. It is one freaked out guy. Sad, yes. Incredibly sad for the families of the victims. NOT terrorism.
Using photographs of Dachau to scare people about HCR is unbelievably inappropriate. When the wingnuts do these things, remember all they have left is fear. And fear makes us make bad decisions. Fight or flight is not an emotionally healthy reaction in a civilized society. Of course, if we don't care about the 120 dead every day, are we civilized? They are trying to make us lose our judgment. Do not let them do this.
I have the cutest dog in the world:

Just saying.

May peace prevail upon the earth.

Sleeve Island

2009-11-04T07:07:00.000-08:00

Is not as much fun as Bermuda, but not as bad as being on "Survivor."

Of course, I'm running out of yarn as I was too stupid to realize adding a hood would add to the yardage. Duh.

I'm trying to keep sleeving until I run out (and the other 2 balls get here) before running screaming to the sock yarn. If only I had more time to knit! Or more energy, more to the point.

Car has come back yet again from the shop without being fixed. My (lovely) mechanic can't figure it out and wants it to go to the dealer. Having finally realized that the reason for all the stress in my subconscious is the fact that I cannot go where I want when I want, I really want my car back. Why is it that the car only acts up for me?!?! Who says the dealer will be able to get it to do the coughing?

Anyway, I wanted to blog even though I don't have pix of the DS sweater, so here I am.

Sorry, Mainers! Sorry, about NJ, Mom! Go Owens!

Peace.

Things that are tormenting me

2009-11-01T13:23:00.000-08:00

Think I need some new socks?

Clearly the whole Halloween thing...

2009-10-31T12:43:00.000-07:00

Interferes with Blogtoberfest, thankfully almost over!

I have enjoyed trying to write more often, though, and hope it has helped get me back in the habit. Blogging on my work website has taken some of my good writing (non fiber-related) so I should remember to cross-post, too.

Almost done with the hood of DS's new sweater, sleeves next.

Fantasizing about what to knit next, of course. I have chosen a new fingerless mitt pattern for the teacher gifts this year: Susie's Reading Mitts. So pretty! I probably want some myself, but since I am in terrible sweater envy, I don't know. I have some Cascade 220 burning a hole in my yarn stash and a huge need for a bright green or orange Basic Chic Hoodie.

Yes, of course, I have a lot of sweaters. But my only handknit hoodie is Rogue, which is just too hot for my climate except once or twice a year or at camp and the yarn pilled right away AND my setting in of sleeves was less than stellar.

Plus I'm really enjoying the sweater for the DS, even though it has NO cabling or anything, so quick, so mindless. We'll see how I feel after the sleeves...

In non-fiber related news, we held our first (for us) Halloween Carnival at the church where I work last night and it was a huge success!! Congratulations, A! Thanks to all the volunteers especially J (Anonymous)!! And today all I have to do is manage to pick up a pre-roasted chicken and some jelly at the store and pick up my forgotten slow-cooker at work, thank goodness. The hard parts of Halloween are all behind me!

Have a safe and fun night tonight!

May peace prevail upon the earth.

Finally!

2009-10-22T07:13:00.000-07:00

Didn't wake up tired. Monday night took it out of me, I guess.

Working away on DS's sweater, I joined the fronts and back last night. If I can stay focused, I can finish this by Halloween after all, I think. It's sleeve island that scares me...

Otherwise, all is well. Work is busy but not too. School is going fine, not without its little struggles. Costumes are ready. Boys are going to camp tomorrow. Girls are supposed to join them on Saturday but 1) my car is in the shop AGAIN for the same thing; and 2) daughter REALLY does not want to go. Myself, I could use a day off, but won't miss it unless I have to.

Need to take pix of current knitting!

May peace prevail upon the earth.

Well, that was long.

2009-10-19T22:25:00.000-07:00

Just spent 4 1/2 hours total driving to/from and waiting in line to get a book signed by a favorite celebrity. Of course, by the time I got to the front of the line, he was over it, too. Perfectly understandable. I think perhaps it is better to meet these people in social situations or not at all. Not really fun, oh, well.

Peace.

Is the Pastor reading my mind?

2009-10-18T17:27:00.001-07:00

Or listening in on my phone calls?

From home?

For the second time in 4 weeks he has SO hit the nail on the head with something that was going on in my life, it's eerie. And, no, I didn't tell his wife or anything. It's just odd.

Either that or the subjects are so ubiquitous that they can apply to anyone's life at any given time, but I don't think so; I think it's just synchronicity for some reason.

I love the word ubiquitous.

I'm surprised he didn't use it in the sermon.

Finishing secret project and starting Son's new hoodie sweater, with which I am already bored. How is that? I really ought to add some cables or something...

Absolutely dying to knit something else. I may have to cheat on this one, we'll see.

May peace prevail upon the earth.

I got nothin'.

2009-10-17T19:34:00.001-07:00

I am exhausted.

Is there a thing where you have plenty of energy all week long for the myriad millions of things to do and then on the day when you have barely anything to do, you're too tired to even think?

I'm sure if I had had a lot to do, I could have done it. But since I only had one thing to do, it utterly exhausted me. Pathetic.

OT, I have set up a system by which person-playing-with-Blackberry-during-church can be surprised by receiving an anonymous text message while doing so asking him to stop. Will only institute if necessary.

Ambivalent about whether I want it to be or not!

Aren't I terrible?

Girl Scout Cadette Troop 291 has decided to name themselves The Lucky Charms. And they are, too!

Peace.

Facing Everything Unafraid

2009-10-16T15:45:00.000-07:00

[cross-posted from my work blog]

I've talked a lot about fear in this blog so far (I went back and read the old posts before writing this). But mostly in a "Wow, isn't it nice not to feel like that anymore" sort of way.

But we all feel fear sometimes, of course. Recently I had to deal with my fear of confrontation. Oh, stop laughing! There are indeed some kinds of confrontation that I fear!

Lately I've been fearful of the outcome of the Health Care Reform debate in Congress. And fighting my fear. The summer was a real roller-coaster ride: the Public Option is dead, the Public Option is a deal-breaker! Every day, one or the other. But now the closer we come to the end of the debate, the harder it is not to worry about how it will come out, how will people get the heathcare they need, how will we stop the unneccessary deaths that happen every day?

The United Methodist Church's statement on Health Care Reform from The Book of Discipline, 2008:

¶ 162 V) Right to Health Care—Health is a condition of physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being. John 10:10b says, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Stewardship of health is the responsibility of each person to whom health has been entrusted.

Creating the personal, environmental, and social conditions in which health can thrive is a joint responsibility—public and private. We encourage individuals to pursue a healthy lifestyle and affirm the importance of preventive health care, health education, environmental and occupational safety, good nutrition, and secure housing in achieving health. Health care is a basic human right.
Providing the care needed to maintain health, prevent disease, and restore health after injury or illness is a responsibility each person owes others and government owes to all, a responsibility government ignores at its peril. In Ezekiel 34:4a, God points out the failures of the leadership of Israel to care for the weak: “You have not strengthened the weak, you have not healed the sick, you have not bound up the injured.” As a result all suffer.
Like police and fire protection, health care is best funded through the government’s ability to tax each person equitably and directly fund the provider entities. Countries facing a public health crisis such as HIV/AIDS must have access to generic medicines and to patented medicines.
We affirm the right of men and women to have access to comprehensive reproductive health/family planning information and services that will serve as a means to prevent unplanned pregnancies, reduce abortions, and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. The right to health care includes care for persons with brain diseases, neurological conditions, or physical disabilities, who must be afforded the same access to health care as all other persons in our communities. It is unjust to construct or perpetuate barriers to physical or mental wholeness or full participation in community.
We believe it is a governmental responsibility to provide all citizens with health care.
From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2008. Copyright 2008 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission. [Emphasis added]

Now that the end of the process is near, it is important to trust, it is important to pray. It is important to face the future unafraid and know that we are not alone, thanks be to God!

May peace prevail upon the earth.

Blogtoberfest is not working out

2009-10-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

I have not posted every day, ho hum. I should just do it when I get up in the morning. Like yoga. Oh, yeah, I don't do that either.

I wake up so early, but I cherish that quiet time before anyone else is up, coffee, blog surfing, shuffling around in my slippers in the dim light. Soon enough it's making breakfast, finding socks, filling water bottles, signing papers.

Anyway, I've been better about it at least.

OKC: Modeled photos (thanks to Anonymous) of the Fair Sweater, 2009: Yeah, I cropped my head out of it, what's it to you? Yes, the sweater looks large and it is. But it is cushy and beautiful and I love it with the fire of a thousand suns.

And another headless photo of my summer knitting, Tempest: This one, you can see, fits well and I've been wearing it on the warmish days. I need like 10 more of these! It was an easy knit, easy sewing up and is pretty much perfect! Maybe a black one, maybe handspun variegated, maybe handspun striped, maybe sale yarn at the closing LYS, maybe a hundred things. Love it, love it, love it!

Finishing secret project then on to DS's new sweater, which I should probably have finished before he goes to camp next weekend, but it simply did not occur to me. I was aiming for Halloween and will absolutely make Thanksgiving, due to changing the order of projects to get the secret one done in plenty of time.

Better get back to it!

May peace prevail upon the earth.

Well, that was interesting!

2009-10-13T17:51:00.000-07:00

I just spent an hour being a member of a focus group discussing our school district (very good in general) with the new Superintendent and some of the School Board.

I gave them a piece of my mind about: putting my son in a combo class with little notice and no availability of the principal; the fact that unless you call first or something, their email spam filter bounces parent communications; our old kindergarten teacher looks haunted with 30 children in her class; that the API scores are not that important to parents, only to administrators.

They're going to show the video of the meeting to the Principals. Yay.

Actually, I'm glad I said it all. Our school is very good, really, I just happen to have an issue this year and they just happened to pick me randomly.

It doesn't hurt that one of the School Board members is a member of my church, though.

Anyway, I don't know what, if anything, will happen, but at least the higher-ups were asking good questions.

Peace.

Hmmm...

2009-10-12T07:21:00.001-07:00

People who play with their Blackberry during the sermon, should decline from criticizing the content of same. Just saying. Especially if they're looking for a promotion. Ahem.

ETA: Wondering if this snarky comment is in conflict with my "Philosophy." Should I look to myself? Sure. Does this behavior make said person happy? Perhaps. But it will not lead to better employment opportunities. Does said person read this blog. Not as far as I know.

What are your thoughts?

My New Philosophy

2009-10-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

And believe me, I've been thinking about it.

Better to worry about my own behavior and other people's happiness. Not so much my own happiness and other people's behavior.

Peace.

Holy Moley!

2009-10-09T15:44:00.001-07:00

The Nobel Peace Prize! I'm gobsmacked!

I agree with Michael Moore. Contratulations! Now earn it. We know you can.

Yes you can.

Peace!

If I post twice today, does it make up for yesterday?

2009-10-08T05:44:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I was just overrun. Don't really know why...

But I did [edited because of stupidity] so that's something anyway.

And I wore the Fair sweater all day, luscious! J took pictures, up later.

Peace.

Safe home from the Fair!

2009-10-06T16:25:00.000-07:00

I picked up my Fair entries today, a tedious drive, but at least my sweater is safe. And it will be cold enough tomorrow morning sitting outside to show it off!

Happy International Walk and Bike to School Day tomorrow!

Peace.