Stashy Mama

Super Sunday!!

2010-12-19T17:13:00.000-08:00

Oh dear ones. What a fantastic day.

Why? Let me count the reasons...

...again...

A) The chicks continue to grow. They're about 14-15 days old (per the feed store) and more a delight to watch every day. Let them out today while I worked on the garden (see below) and they discovered the joy of a dirt bath. So Funny! Watching them scratch around while their breasts are buried deep in the ground; then they roll over almost onto their backs while they fluff their feathers. So cute! Here's a picture of them early on...they're MUCH more feathered now! What's not so funny are the pair of hawks which hang around the back yard. Yikes! Look out little chickies!

B) I've started the garden! No pictures of today's accomplishments, but I'll throw in some "eyecandy" of our back yard for my snow-bound friends =) This is image is facing North West. I bartered all of my Tupperware Modular Mates for 66 cinder blocks (some shown here) which will make up my raised garden beds eventually. I was totally thinking of you northerners today when I mused how broccholi and brussel sprouts are in my Phoenix ground. And the peas are up. And there are strawberries and flowers on my front stoop. Neener Neener.

And the best news? I found out yesterday that a shop in downtown Phoenix, in the Art District, is excited to consign my handspun and handknit stuff! WOOTIE WOOT WOOT!! I left them with a handspun, Tunisian crocheted mobius head wrap, a handspun, handwoven face cloth, a felted trinket bowl and a few other items along with a few skeins of handspun! Cross your fingers and say some prayers for me folks. Hopefully this will lead to some extra cash coming in while Jerry's at Seminary and I'm on half income after retiring.

Peace and Excellence to you. Merriest Christmas. Be good to one another!

Change!

2010-12-14T20:25:00.000-08:00

1) I am (what's today?) 17 days from absolute completion of my military career. "Oh, please call me Ms., or just Ann..."

2) Inner city Phoenix life is absolutely fabulous. Ask me again in June.

3) Alleys provide fantastic junk for upcycling.

4) People, all people (except for a majority of the drivers) are marvelous.

5) I love my farmer's market. (note to self, cancel AHO subscription - it was bliss while it lasted)

6) Chickens are very cool!

7) Composting is just as cool!

8) I'm hoping to find out if or not gardening is just as cool. Soon. Or it'll just be hot.

9) Homeschooling isn't what I thought it would be. At. All.

10) Domestication is a LOT more work than I banked on. To my husband: I'm sorry for all those years of harassment. Feel free to nag anytime.

11) I continue to knit - that hasn't changed much. Oh, you thought it would?

12) We continue to be blessed! Thank you God. You are our supplier. I can't say thanks enough.

Something I really like. 1.0

2010-04-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

Woke up to NPR. Always do. This morning was an interview with Bobby McFerron. He's got a new album out. Vocabularies.

It's stunning. This guy is an enigma with voices.

Here's a taste of his improvisational genius:

I'm Still Alive =)

2010-04-09T22:39:00.000-07:00

I have been busy. So life goes....but I have T-Minus 100 work days left until I transition into my final leave from work and retire from the military.

Hopefully then I'll have more time to promote my Handspun on Etsy and keep up with blogging!

Until then...Adieu!

What Can I Do?

2009-02-06T15:21:00.000-08:00

I love XM Radio. I especially like POTUS XM130. I've been hearing the buzz about job loss. I'm finally sitting up to really listen; almost 600,000 jobs in January '09 alone. I just got done listening to Obama's speech about the state of the economy and was moved by the reality of how many families are without jobs.

I've been thinking about this quite a bit. I'm blessedly sheltered from the realities of our economy because I'm securely employed by the US Air Force. I have a steady paycheck. I have disposable income (disposable as defined as a couple dinners out, a movie and some Starbucks). I'm also a great believer of the Golden Rule....do unto others as you'd have them do to you. A Great Believer!

So, I wonder to myself, What Can I Do? I'd be glad to forego a coffee if it means beans and rice for a family. I'd gladly help pay an utility bill if it means keeping the house warm and clothes clean.

But would I be expected to help the same family if their standard of eating is, say, a Sirloin, Napa Valley Wine and Hand-Whipped Butter? Is it my responsibility to pay for an electric bill so the kids can charge their cell phones and MP3 players? Would I be remiss to refuse an auto payment on a second vehicle (for a family out of work) and -oh, by the way- it's an Acura or Lexus?

I guess I'm wondering if families, who are legitimately experiencing the "CRUNCH" of economic hardships, would be unreasonable to not expect the handout which would keep them in their current or even past standard of living...?

Further, would I be out of line to wonder if these same families, legitimately out of work and searching for more work, would -dare I say- maybe sell one of those extra 42" televisions, or cut the cell phone plan to minimum, or even turn off the cable? I mean, $500 for a used TV can buy groceries - sensible, modest, nutritious groceries for a few weeks. Is it unreasonable to think that taxpayers shouldn't have to shoulder an entire household budget for a family that is inflated or extravagent. Yes, I know -I know....extravagent is defined as...? But seriously. What really does a family need to just survive through lean times?

I would help make a car payment. I really would. If that's the only car they own and it's the family vehicle, or it's the car that's needed to drive to job interviews or take the kids to school (where there is no bus service, legitimately so) or other real necessity.

But pay the cell phone bill? I don't think so. Keep the kids in Sketchers? Um, no. That vacation to Taos? ya-right.

Is anyone else asking these questions? Anyone have an MP3 player to sell? I'm buyin'...

Where. Have. You. Been??

2009-01-29T10:25:00.001-08:00

I was a kid. I grew up in the countryside of Wisconsin. There were lots of wooded areas, rivers, creeks, pastures, lakes. Not so many people. So we neighborhood kids (make that all the kids that lived in our corner of town) loved to just Take Off and Go Explore during the beautiful summer days.

I remember that 1 time Mr. Bishop caught us under the bridge with a *dirty magazine*. My parents still don't know. I think I was 11 or so... ha ... well, anyway. We'd come home at dinner time and mom would be furious! Where Have You Been! she'd exclaim. I was perfectly justified in my own mind. I had every right to wander the countryside - climbing trees - braiding grass into matts - carving my current love status into saplings.

I have no excuse to you to the question, "Where have you been?" Busy? Um. Yeah-that's all I've got. Certainly not skinny dipping. Or climbing trees. Or finding beaver-chewed sticks magically become any type of imagined item - if I didn't carve it into a chain. And that dirty magazine is probably still under that rock under that bridge.

I'm thinking about doing another 'cast. I must really be thinking of it, because I have a notebook where I'm jotting ideas, and have found the "mystery pattern". I even -insert flattery here- imitated Dr. Gemma (cogKnitive) and bought a sexy red recorder just. like. hers.

I've also joined Twitter. I thought it would be stoopid. I mean, really, who cares if you're having lunch or whatever. But I like it. Lots. I get to see what my friends are doing. It's a snapshot of random thoughts. Fun, really. Plus, I kinda journal my fiber-progression there. Is that wrong? I hope not.

Pommel Sheep Pattern

2008-05-09T22:26:00.000-07:00

Until I figure out how to upload this PDF into Ravelry - here is the adorable Pommel Sheep auf Englisch.

Sheep ‘Pommel’
Materials
• Grey wool
• Dark grey yarn for eyes, nose and feet
• Tapestry needle
• Fleece or extra yarn scraps for stuffing
• A ribbon to make a bow tie
• 1 set US 1/2mm double-point needles
Pattern notes:
Make sure your knitted fabric is nice and firm because it will be stuffed later.
I-cord:
Cast on stitches using double pointed needles. Knit the first row but don't turn your
piece. Slip the stitches back to the beginning of the needle and knit the row again.
Continue in this manner until you have a short length of knitting, pull down on the
loose tail and the space between the stitches will close.
Head:
Cast on 20 stitches and knit in garter stitch for 6 rows. Divide the stitches between
4 needles and join to begin working in the round.
Round 1: decrease 5 stitches evenly (k2, k2tog, repeat) = 15 stitches.
Round 2: knit
Round 3: knit
Round 4: knit increasing 4 stitches evenly Round 5: knit
Round 6: knit increasing 2 stitches on each needle
Round 7- 14: knit
K2tog until 7 stitches are left on your needles. Pull the yarn through the remaining 7
stitches. Sew the first seam together and stuff.
Body:
Cast on 12 stitches between 4 needles.
Round 1: knit
Round 2: *knit 1, M1* repeat around = 18 stitches
Round 3: knit
Round 4: knit
Round 5: *knit 1, M1* repeat around = 26 stitches
Round 6: knit
Now knit 12 rounds in garter stitch.
Round 19: *knit 1, k2tog* repeat around
Round 20: purl
Round 21: *knit 1, k2tog* repeat around = 17 stitches.
Bind off all stitches.
Legs:
Cast on 5 stitches.
Knit 15 rounds of I-cord.
Change to dark grey yarn for the hooves and knit all stitches onto 4 needles while increasing the stitches so that 2 stitches are now on each needle = 8 stitches total.
Round 1: knit
Round 2: knit increasing 1 stitch per needle (each needle = 3 stitches)
Round 3: knit
Round 4: knit increasing 2 stitches per needle (each needle = 5 stitches)
Round 5: knit
Round 6: *knit 2, k2tog*
Bind off all stitches. Fill with stuffing and sew seems together.
Arms:
Cast on 4 stitches.
Knit 10 rounds of I-cord.
Change to dark grey yarn for the ‘hands’ and knit all stitches onto 4 needles while increasing the stitches so that 2 stitches are now on each needle.
Round 1: knit
Round 2: knit increasing 1 stitch per needle (each needle = 3 stitches)
Knit 5 rounds.
Bind off all stitches. Fill with stuffing and sew together.
Make a stitch with the same color yarn to ‘separate’ the paw.
Ears:
Cast on 7 stitches.
Knit 7 rounds.
Decrease 2 stitches at the beginning of the next rounds until 2 stitches remain.
Cast off remaining 2 stitches.
Finishing:
Sew the ears on the sides of his head, and using a bit of the dark grey yarn, sew eyes and a nose on your sheep. Make a small amount of hair for his head. Sew on the legs and arms.
Your ‘Pommel’ sheep is done!!
Original pattern design by Kerstin Jütte of www.goetemitz.de translated from German into English by Kimberly Gintar of www.thegivingflower.de .

Podcast Episode 1

2008-02-18T13:48:00.000-08:00

Please leave me feedback on both quality and quantity of this, my first, podcast. I'm learning the software as I go - and detected some issues. If you detect the same issues, then I'll know it's not my imagination and will try to fix it for the next show! Download MP3 here.

Show Notes:

Podcasts which inspired me:
Knitpicks, Lime & Violet, Sticks-n-String, Cast-On.

Look here to find out who Rodney Copperbottom is.

What is Blue Faced Leicester?

My spinning Matriarchs/Patriarchs, some now harder to find than others: Lee Raven, Celia Quinn, Deb Robson, Patsy Zawatowski, Stephanie Gaustad & Alden Amos, Harry & Olive Linder

Some modern-day instructional inspiration: Abby's Yarns, Spider Spinning Jenny.

I gotta learn to use my Skype!

Ravelry - A mecca for knitters, crocheters, spinners and other fiber enthusiasts.

Susan Druding and Straw into Gold.

SpinOff's Index

Fibergal's Cotton Blog is here

Sally Fox's Fox Fiber at Vreiseis

The colored cottons below are Sally's, and the 3 small skeins on the lower left are natural whites, along with the knitted sample and matching skein.

*SOME* of my cotton samples from a California Co-op! OI!

And this is drum carded cotton yarn and knitted cloth

Strauch Finest Carder

Knitter's Review Form is here

Sheep In The City's My So Called Scarf

Music: Sunday Afternoon, by Heavy Mellow, from the Album Horizons. Thanks to Magnatunes!

Stash Bustin' Installment 1

2008-01-10T20:51:00.000-08:00

Ravelry has a group dedicated to Stash Busting '08. Their idea, challenge - really. is to knit (spin, crochet, whatever) a mile in 6 weeks. That's like, 1790 yards.

I've been spinning.

Here's what I've done and when...please don't berate me for starting a little early :)

Sept 18 (I won't count this, as it's too early for this challenge): lovely pinks/yellows/oranges silk, dyed tussah silk, double plied = 190 yds

Sept 30 (I also won't count this per the date): wool blend from Paradise Fibers, shades of brown, black, white all blended together. A slubby yarn due to the roughly blended roving = 133 yds

[no picture, sorry!]

Oct 28: FoxFiber Cotton, Camel, spun from sliver, double plied, boiled = 87 yds

Oct ?: FoxFiber Cotton, Oatmeal, spun from sliver, double plied, boiled = 256 yds

Dates that count...

Dec ?: FoxFiber Cotton Green, spun from sliver, double plied, boiled = 145 yds

Dec ?: FoxFiber Cotton Green, spun from sliver, double plied, boiled = 56 yds

Dec ?: Yellow Superwash Wool, spun from pencil roving, single ply, washed = 421 yds

Dec ?: Yellow Superwash Wool, spun from pencil roving, single ply, washed = 293 yds

Dec ?: Yellow Superwash Wool, spun from pencil roving, single ply, washed = 293 yds (no kidding)

Jan 1: FoxFiber Cotton Camel, spun from sliver, double plied, boiled = 79 yds

Jan 1: Jacob's Fleece, spun from handcarded rolags in random colors as I pulled them out of the bag, double plied and whacked when wet = 130 yds [this isn't the yarn in the pic - it's the BEFORE the yarn shot]

Jan 1: Jacob's Fleece, ditto from above = 145 yds

Jan 6: FoxFiber Cotton, Oatmeal, spun from sliver, double plied, boiled = 114 yds

In the wings:

Black roving on the bobbin, waiting to be plied

More Paradise Fibers, bobbin full, waiting to be plied

Drum Carded Cotton - 3 batts waiting to be spun

To date, my yardage = 1676 yards. What?! And that's not counting earlier than December! Pffft....only a mile?! I'll have that done when I ply these other two bobbins! And that took me all of 2? weeks. Hrm. Seems I can crank out some yarn when I put my mind to it! At least I'm off the challenge hook then.

Priorities. I must maintain my priorities. I have to use my spare time (nottoknitnorspinheavenforbid) to study for promotion!!! Every Spare Moment!! That means putting off the Podcast. I'm naming it Stashymama. Trying to get my Ravelry name changed, too. Keeps things simple that way.

Oh, by the way - go Google Stashymama, will ya? See that? I'm the ONLY thing that pops up! Cool, eh? I've got my 'cast intro done *squee!* And I'm working on the "narrative" aka "outline" for the first episode.

I'm also thinking of writing an article for SpinOff Magazine based on my handcarded, handspun, handknit cotton.

All this happens after I test for promotion. Which could be as late as March. I hope so, anyway.

Someone puh-leeze keep me on track...!

Snow Peas and a Hook

2007-12-06T18:52:00.000-08:00

What? you ask...on Earth are Snow Peas and a Hook?

Podcasting.

I'm currently in Texas, away from the distractions of family and work. Well, I'm working - but spending quiet evenings in my hotel room, knitting and contemplating world affairs.

Things like voting (I'm still on that wagon, yes) and I met a Pagan today. I was scared, then realized grotesque phallic things didn't spew forth from his mouth when he talked to me. I rather enjoyed our time visiting....(ok, I was still a little scared. I'm getting over it) And podcasting. I LOVE podcasts. Lime&Violet. Cast-on. Sticks and String. KnitPicks. I love them. I love iTunes. I am ashamed of the day, almost a year ago, when I yelled at my hubby for spending $XXX.XX on an iPod and accessories. I love my iPod Nano. I want a *beeeggggerrrr* iPod. Videos. Games. gooooooodddddd......

I digress. I think I could do a podcast. Why? Because while my spontaneous, artsyfartsy, total entertainment side of me enjoys the shallow banter of Lime-n-Violet, and the philosophical essays of Sticks-n-Strings and the music of Cast-On, my "oh, please-oh-puh-leeeze teach me something" side of the brain yearns to really take something away from podcasts. I was inspired by a recent - OK, I don't know how old - I'm still hit and miss on which episode downloads from iTunes - a recent episode of Cast On. I was on the plane. I had finished a dishcloth, and everyone knows that Peaches'n'Cream always leaves a little left over after the cloth is done. Well. Brenda was talking about how knitting transcends all languages and she had the wonderful fortune of learning a new stitch pattern from an Italian lady - all based on watching, trying, correcting, watching, and finally accomplishing an inspiring knit stitch. She narrated on the 'cast the stitches. I whipped out my leftovers (disrupting the snoozing gentleman next to me) and needles - cast on an even number of stitches - rewound to the beginning of the narration - and knit along while she talked the instructions! SQUEE!!! I LOVED learning a new stitch pattern! Dudes. It totally rocks to knit to a voice and not know how it's going to turn out. I think I want to do that in a podcast. It's like a KAL. But only, say, 10 minutes and POOF you have another stitch pattern to add to your notebook.

I've been scouring the net, emailing podcasters, stalking in Ravelry, looking for information on how to get started. I think all I need is a host. I have everything else already. Totally.

So. I'm still thinking. It's so totally in my nature to say, "Hey, look! Blown glass! I can do that! Let's go down to the beach, get some sand, stoke a fire, melt the sand, find a pipe, blow the glob. I can totally do that!" Then the buckets of sand and length of pipe sit in the garage as hubby patiently walks over them again and again. And again. Then, 9.5 months later, after the 37th time tripping over the bucket, I decide I really wasn't ready to do that so chuck the whole thing away. I don't want to do that with this idea. If I'm gonna do it, it must be a long term committment. Like marriage.

OK. NOT like marriage. Maybe - like taking a series of antibiotics. yeah. That kind of committment. That kind I can handle.

Oh yeah. Knitting? Doofuses - of course knitting! I found an uber-wonderful knitting store in Wichita Falls, TX. (local yarnies - catch this!) It's called the Yarn Palette! HA! I hafta tell you - they know about *our* YP. They're rather miffed the URL is spoken for and even made a passing comment that we should give up the name first - they were there first. HEE. It was fun. The owners are totally cool. I only spent $5X.XX something on yarn. It was all off the sale shelf - so it was a good deal. I'm putting together complimentary yarns - eyelash, ribbons, mohair, fun fur, cotton, wool into a wrap with a fringe. I hope it turns out OK.

Not like I didn't already have 5 more balls of p'n'c to make more dishcloths. I'm such a schmutz. Weak, sniveling, yarn ho'in' schmutz. And I don't even know if I'm gonna keep this shrug. I promise, if I do have a podcast, I will NOT be an enabler. Too many of those already....

stashymama. My eye stashymama.

Will You Vote?

2007-11-26T17:17:00.000-08:00

OK. I sure wish I could add buttons to my blog. Anyone smart enough out there?....can you hear me?...how do I put a button on this infernal virtual space??

Here's why. I have a voice. I'm pseudo-smart. I think I found my president-elect. At least, he's the best up for offer so far. The rest? Hypocrites! Not For The People! Unfocused! Wafflers! Wonky Agendas! ...OK, not all of them...but the lead runners.

My friends and family. Please take a moment to educate yourselves. Please, for the sake of our country, her future and our children, get EDUCATED and vote in just less than a year from now.

If I may introduce you to my discovery: (I'll leave the name out so you are totally surprised! Squee!) Please read his (OK, it's not Hillary. No surprise there...) views on issues. Please consider your own convictions. Please vote next year.

Onto what's new!!! We've been busy the past few weeks. We met our dear friend, Randy, who was in training in San Francisco. He was out from ND and had gone wild! I don't have pics - sorry. They take too much time to load. And I haven't fed the kids dinner yet... But picture him, on the Pacific beach (be still my heart - the ocean is a marvelous thing) sloughing off his shoes and socks and jacket as he lopes towards the waves. His legs were a wonderful ND white but his face was flush from excitement! He floundered. He flopped. He (and the rest of us except for my ever-conservative hubby) got lots of crude on our footsies. Imagine after sunset 5 of us lined up on the beach steps with goo-gone. Squirting our feet and scrubbing off the oil. Ick. But beautiful - 'twas totally worth it. We also drove the 1 (aka Pacific Hwy) home at the end of our visit. Breathtaking is woefully inadequate. It's a slice of heaven. It took 12 hours to get home. Oh, maybe because we had to stop EVERY 50 yards and take in the view!! Glorious!

Then Thanksgiving week. A trip to Phoenix with beloved family. Never, ever take your family for granted. I love mine tremendously. Jerry's grandfather is gravely ill, he's been heard to say he's fading away. So we all took turns saying goodbye to him (personally blubbering the entire time. I mean, honestly...) 3 y/o Zoe hugged him and told him she loved him. It was quite touching. Folks - I have to tell you how comforting it is to know he's going to a Heavenly Father who is also waiting for us to join Him. Grandpa is sad to leave us behind - he won't get to see the kids grow up. He can no longer do the work of strong hands and back. But! He's going to see the Creator, not relish the created. Oh...I'm almost envious.

Fiber? Knitting? pshaw. Of *course*. I knit 4 washclothes while away. You should consider this site if you're into dishclothes. Very nice. The Yarn Palette also asked me to do a needle felting class. I found a great pattern for a hat, so it should be knit up tonight. Then I snagged a free washing machine so I can not spend 5 bucks every time I want a felted piece of goodness. It's not connected yet (reluctant hubby will not stop me...) but it will be soon and this hat will be felted down to yummy white goodness - ready for needle felting! About the free thing? Honestly! Everyone should Freecycle!!

And I got my Strauch Finest Drum Carder. mmmmm.....almost better than chocolate....this guy even cards COTTON! 'Tis true! I lie not! I think I shall grow cotton next summer. OH! And in Phoenix...what did lil' ole' resourceful me find? Cactus. With bugs. Can you guess what kind?? I heisted some and it is now (hopefully!) taking root in the back yard in a large pot. Bugs intact. I hope the kids stay away...

OK. Must. Feed. Kids. Do. Laundry. Clean. Kitchen. Pick. Up. House. Find. Table.....ugh...

Why Am I Here?

2007-10-29T21:34:00.000-07:00

Dudes. Do you remember the commercial where the guy is sitting in front of the computer and sighs, stating, "I've finished. I've seen it all." I think of that and compare all the URLs to the stars of the sky - immeasurable. All those websites. Then there's the blog. Yeah, the one you're reading right now. Why are *you* here? Surely you have something else better to do? How many of you have kids skipping around the dining room table singing at the top of their little voices? How many of you have shooed your kids to bed with the promise, "I'll be right there to tuck you in" and that was 20 minutes ago? Are you like me, silently thinking if you hold off long enough they'll just fall asleep? And here I am. Writing on the dumb computer. To you. Who I probably will never see. Funny, eh? Then there's Ravelry. I think I'm going to get my kitchen timer when I sign onto Ravelry. Then give myself a 5-minute warning, just like I do my todder (who, by the way is still quite awake and walking around at 9:50 p.m. WHAT kind of mother am I?) Virtual time suck? I call you out! HA!

On a high note? My new drum carder is almost here!! I've spun up a bobbin full of cotton! I knit a way cute little sheep (pics on Ravelry - I think, if you're reading this, you're also on R. You can go see him there.)

Toodle-loo. Thanks for visiting! Now go wash your laundry :)

Checking In

2007-10-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

Well. Blogging turns out to be as much a time suck as browsing iTunes, or eBay, or Amazon. Or Googling stamp collecting.

I don't have pics - takes too much time. But I will say that I've joined Ravelry and have been busy over there. I've also been busy knitting and spinning and finding new websites that I LOVE!

I've joined the dishcloth exchange. I hope to start knitting dishclothes for resale. I've also discovered so SUPER great sites for handspinners! I ordered a new drumcarder, can't wait for it to arrive.

So I'm off to update my links list....see ya later!

12 Days Later...

2007-08-22T19:52:00.000-07:00

Jeez. Seems like yesterday I was knitting frantically for the knitty.com calendar contest.

Here are my contributions:

Our entire KnottyKnitter group turned up with this:

I hope we win *something*.

We went to Family Camp last week. It was wonderful!

Here are a couple of shots:

Us at the lake...

Buried Daniel - Zoe doesn't look very sad...

Zoe contemplating a giant turtle. Right before running away in fright.

Spinning? Of course...

Silk noil from a friend. Long Draw technique.

See the skein tomorrow (maybe)

Here is more noil I purchased and will spin up soon!! Love those colors...

Knitting? You Betcha....

This is the Mystery Stole 3, half way through clue 5. I was a knitting fiend while at camp. To the point I was staying up until midnite some nights to try to catch up. It did not happen. I haven't touched it for about a week. I need to start again! And get it finished!!

Upcoming projects? I have a coworker expecting a baby in 2ish weeks. He's getting wee socks. They'll take me a night to knit, but I have to dig up the pattern....and make sure on the yarn... That really should be my priority!!

I've been contemplating my retirement from the Air Force. I reach 20 this November - I can technically punch out anytime after that. But I don't have the rank I want to help ensure I won't have to work again. Jerry, however, is waiting for me to retire so he can go to Seminary at Fuller University. Meanwhile, he's taking (unnecessary - he's being waived into Seminary based on life experience) classes. OK, not totally unnecessary - writing papers is a good skill to have. Geology isn't. So I've been contemplating. Retire so we can get on with his college and his good paying job? or hold out another year for promotion - then wait 2 more years after that to get the retirement pay? We're praying. When we don't know the answer, He certainly does.

Knitty #2 - Deported from Egypt

2007-08-10T23:01:00.001-07:00

Knitty #2 - back from Egypt
Originally uploaded by jadjwarner

Here I am. Fred's sister. Only, I can't remember my name. Can you guess? When Zoe wakes up tomorrow, I'll remember my name. I'll tell you then.

I'm Fred...

2007-08-08T17:10:00.001-07:00

Hello.

I just landed on your terra-firma today from the planet kaytootog-sissykay. You could not pronounce my name like they do on my home planet; is it loosely translated as wulanolispinavjoeplyourngkulaidye. You can call me...

...Fred.

This is my passport photo.

And this is where I was unabashedly violated by a wee unstable girl-thing with sticky hands. Achst. The Horror.

Tomorrow I'll see if my sister will come out and play.

Until then, bendouff. Fred.

A Recant....

2007-08-07T09:40:00.000-07:00

I must make a caveat to Saturday's post. I had the good great fortune to meet another fiber-friend Sunday. She marveled at how I could get *anything* done with 3 children still in the house and work full time. It made me reflect. This is nay but a season for me. A season I shall not wish away. Even Zoe...

...is growing up entirely too fast. She's 3! Already! I look at her, her growing little body. She's drawing intelligible things. Sort of. And listen to her, she says things like "That's incredible, mommy." *sniff* I will NOT wish away this era of my life. I am blessed beyond measure.

So what if I can't spin right now. So what that the resources aren't there for me to run off for a selfish moment (or 10 months' worth) It'll be there tomorrow. The Almightly knows my desires - it'll be there again.

Onto Spinning!

I said I would post a picture of my spinning.

This, my friends, is a beautiful hankie obtained from Stick and Stone Fiberarts in LA. This is also one of my 3 Kokovoko spindles.

What's a hankie, you ask? It is about 20 or more (that's a wag of a guess!) silk cocoons stretched out over a frame that represents the shape of a bell. They're fun to spin and relatively inexpensive. I wager the one above was a couple bucks.

Here is another picture with hankies - so you get an idea what I'm talking about.

Isn't that yummy? While silk bothers some people - it's like sticking your hand in a spider web over, and over, and over again - I love the results! Don't you?....

Spinning Mecca....not...

2007-08-04T21:40:00.000-07:00

I'm so frustrated.

I had the opportunity to join this group as part of an informal Certificate of Excellence in Spinning Study. Oh! Joy of Joys! Thrill of Thrills! Spinning for 20 years, longing for instruction and technique building. Lands on my doorstep.

and I have to return to sender.

See, we have 5 people in our household, 2 of which are pre-teen boys who are starting to eat. Lots. The third is a wee lass girlie who really doesn't cost much, yet. One of the parents is going to school. Full time. Can you say Tuition? Books? That leaves the other parent to bring home the bacon. Or cracklings (those things left in the bottom of the pan after the bacon is cooked) which is what the almighty military paycheck seems to come to some months.

I'm not bemoaning our situation. I love my United States of America. I'm proud to serve...and I would do it again. (then, not now) Yes, I could have gotten a job with Amazon or whatever. Been laid off a few times, hopeful I'll get my next paycheck, etc. Things lots of Americans worry about.

But...

I have a *salary* paycheck, and 30 paid days vacation a year. And medical (questionable sometimes) and the commissary (read com-mis'-ery - heehee). I'm not complaining. Just wishing I didn't feel guilty using a tank of gas (60 bucks) once a month for "funsies".

I'll continue to love my new Honda Odessey, keep her shiny, vacuumed out, appreciate her payment. And not drive her to LA twice per month so I can learn to spin better.

Spinning? Did I say spinning? I did spin up a lovely space dyed silk cap today. It felt really good. Pics tomorrow.

Knitties Do The Brane

2007-08-03T16:59:00.001-07:00

So my baby blog is less than 24 hours old. I've added some links and other favorite blogs (mostly so I can have access to them if I'm at work or at the library or whatever. It's such a pain to not have "favorites" handy when you need them!)

Now. Friends.

I have a treat for you.

I discovered this oh, about a year ago after the Harlot linked us to this. I was also new to her, and my appreciation level spiked after watching her link. She was my age! cool. I can do cool things like her. And I think I have. Except for the writing a book (or 4 or 5) thing. And raise over a quarter of a million dollars for Knitters Without Borders. There's that, too. But I can knit. like her.

It was my first venture to YouTube. It was bliss. I also found this, which I shared with many friends while we laughed and laughed. I hope you do, to.

I'm still looking for the ringtone.

OH, by the way. The pattern for these guys is here.

Knitting? I downloaded MS3 clue 5 today and read the posts. I have been contemplating how we are created so differently while comments are made either for or against the design of the pattern. If I were the author, I might have taken offense to some. And other knitters were quick (and emotional) to correct the loud knitter. I say, whatever. Say things nicely. Read things nicely. Everyone gets along. That's my knitting contribution.

Spinning? Remembering the smell of lanolin. And looking at my stash piled around the wheel. And hoping that 1 lone moth isn't worth freaking out over. I'll make it a point to squish it later.

Hello World Wide Web

2007-08-02T18:04:00.000-07:00

I now have a blog. I have felt the weight of being "blogless". The flippant dismissal from exchanges, secret pals, "do it with us"es groups who required a blog to participate. I was kicked off the virtual playground where the cool toys were. The social stigma got to me.

So.

I have succumbed to the epressure of scads and scads of talented persons sharing their wit, wisdom and woes of life. I think I mainly created this blog so I could keep track of all these many wonderful scribes' daily fodder.

Yes.

I know I am opening up myself to the few scathing, miserable, lonely, bullying souls who delight in the misery of others. I hope my skin is thick enough to withstand any of those presences who might flit into my wispy little e-life. I'm apprehensive - I will remember the many, many wonderful souls who greatly outweigh and outshadow the pitiful few. Thanks to you and you and you and you and you and.... You inspire me.

OK....wish me Luck and Godspeed! (and for my hubby to stop shaking his head at me. ...how's this thing work, anyway...?)