Here We Go Again

So this isn't exactly knitting related, but life related none the less. At the beginning of the week I signed up for Weight Watchers online. Heading back to consulting added 12 lbs almost immediately! But I think this online thing is going to work -- although it is a little early to tell.

One of the online features are the message boards. Some are just insane, but I found a thread for a 6 week challenge -- which is more to my liking. So this is what I have set:

6 week goals:

1. 12 lbs gone (again)
2. 6 AP / week (AP = Activity Points)

This week goals:

1. Journal every day
2. Stay OP (OP = On Plan)

Wish me luck!

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The Best Intentions

So I have done it again!!! With the best intentions and actually several good attempts, I have fallen back into the "no blogging" habit. As always, I have an excuse! This time I have taken a consulting gig back in my old world of Information Technology Management. So evenings are focused with Knitability stuff and church stuff and the majority of the day is geek management. Of course, the major upside are the funds and the fact that I get two hours each day of uninterrupted time with my husband on the commute (yep an hour each way).

On the other hand, I am definitely on the computer every day, so maybe it will work better. Last night I was actively trying to finish notes and project for my knitting class tonight to discover that only 4 folks are signed up which really isn't financially feasible to offer. So now I am mostly prepared for "next time" and instead I can make handbell practice tonight! It is going to be nutty through the end of the year!!!

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A Wonder Valley Weekend

This past weekend I had the pleasure of teaching for the Fresno Guild -- Sheeper Than Therapy at their annual retreat held in Wonder Valley Resort & Conference Center. This is a very nice location, just the right mix of rustic and comfortable. This time I co-taught with Margaret Fisher, a good friend and fabulous teacher.

The only down side for the weekend is that I some how came home with a cold. This wouldn't be so bad, except this Sunday I am responsible for the entire service including the morning message -- hopefully it will clear quickly!!!

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I Hate Housekeeping

I hate housekeeping. I have never been inclined to be "neat". It is not that I like the mess, but I always feel like there are other things that are more important to invest my time toward (like knitting). What I am discovering, is that I feel that way about all forms of housekeeping. for instance, I just noticed how out of date my calendar and project updates are -- just another type of housekeeping. What does this say about me?!?

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New Classes

So I continue to be inspired by the season. Next weekend I am teaching a new class called "Build A Better Bag" where we learn about bag construction and create this minature bag:



Isn't it cute?! I think that it is going to be a fun class. More importantly, it is going to be a fun weekend. Margaret Fisher and I are both teaching at the Fresno Guild (Sheeper Than Therapy) retreat. A wonderful get away in the Sierra foothills. You should come join us sometime!

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And So I Begin Again

I have no idea why, but Autumn always seems like a fresh start for me. Maybe because it is the beginning of the busy season for knitting. Maybe it is because the local farmers are finishing up working in the fields and I can finally clean the house and have it look like I cleaned for at least a day or two. Or maybe it is because it is the season just prior to the plants "falling asleep" and I love to sleep!!!

So summer was crazy and there was no posting, but with a fresh out look comes a fresh start! Arlis & I even started the month with a fresh start and took our bikes up to Yosemite for the afternoon and road around. Below is the proof, see the reflection of Half Dome in the Merced River?!



So here's to a fresh start in the Fall!

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A Fresh Start -- Sort Of

It has now been over a month since my last post, but I have been given a boost by a supportive comment from a fellow knitwear designer, Dawn Brocco. So I am ready to give it another try (thanks Dawn). But.....I am about to head out to TNNA, a church conference, followed by friends visiting from PA. That takes us to June 24. The rest of the summer isn't much better, but I am going to give it a go! Wish me luck.

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Just Like a Favorite Project

Do you ever have a project that you make over and over again? Maybe because it is so familiar it is your "mindless" knitting. Maybe because it reveals new surprises each time you knit it in a different color or different yarn. Or maybe because it is your business needs a new sample. The last would be my formal reason, but in fact, they are all true for my current felted entrelac knapsack project.

It has been a while since I had knit one and I forgot what an enjoyable project it is for me to work on. And although I typically do not like making the same thing more than once, this project is different. Each color combination is like a secret revealing itself, the familiar rhythm of the knitting is relaxing -- and yes, I can get something done for the business. All the while, in the midst of the craziness, finding comfort in a favorite project.

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I Suck -- And That Is That

I want to be good at this blog thing, but I am not. I can come up with bunches of excuses, but who really needs that. Maybe it is the math/science thing versus the literary thing -- I don't really know. More likely it is the extrovert personality versus the introvert personality. Love to verbalize and writing just isn't the same.

So I am just going to accept the fact that I suck at this! I am going to try harder, as I believe that there can be multiple levels of benefit. Not the least of which is expanding my own capabilities. Bear with me if you dare -- it is sure to be a shakey ride!

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A Quick Pic

So I finally got pictures taken of the very cool gift a got from my secret pal like a month or more ago. They a wonderful markers! I think they might be too pretty to use -- what do you think!



Tomorrow I am outta here -- heading back East to TKGA in Valley Forge. I will give everyone an update when I get back.

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Must Improve!!

I must improve on my posting. There really is so much to share, I don't know why I find it so hard to make the time to do it. And the writing practice is good in so many ways. So, today, once again, is one week.

Tomorrow I visit and alpaca breeder who is wanting me to design a few sweaters for her, potential to have knit up and sold. I may not be the right person for the job, but I will know more after our meeting tomorrow. It is up in the foothills and they should be beautiful with all the rain we have had this year. Lucky me!!! Hopefully, pictures tomorrow!

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Trying to Improve

Okay -- so it has been more than a week, but I am trying to improve on my posting. Not quite caught up yet from all that has been going on, but now feel like I can at least imagine what being caught up would be like!! This week I am going to be revamping my blog page some so that should provide ample opportunity to for to post again (before another entire week has passed).

Not much knitting has been done in the midst of trying to get caught up, but I see much knitting in the future. I also still owe you a picture of the cool gift from my Secret Pal! Stay Tuned!

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Back to Real Life

So -- has anyone noticed that I haven't posted in 6 weeks. Well, probably not since I haven't been that great about posting prior, but this is an extremely long dry spell. This time, however, I have a real excuse -- drum roll....

The beginning of February was Stitches West and preparing for a show is always insane, but then one of the booth workers came down sick. Next my Dad was taken to the hospital for "unknown" reasons -- changing my Mom's priorities (another booth worker down). Then the day before my friend from KC who is going to run the booth is supposed to fly out to CA -- huge storm!! She makes it, my new helper gives up her weekend to help and my husband pitches end for the weekend. Helper and husband don't know much about knitting! So the first day of the show the KC friend comes down sick -- I can't be in the booth -- I am teaching. In the end -- we all get home safely and the show went find albeit a bit strange, but I will save that for another post.

Now, the following morning from returning from the show, Mom requests that I pack an overnight bag and come up to the hospital -- she has gotten a hotel there.....Two weeks later, Dad is finally coming home which means that I can finally come home and try to get caught and back to real life.

So for the past 6 weeks -- here are the highlights

Prep for Stitches West
Teach and Vendor at Stitches West
Move into the hotel
Train a new employee via the phone
Learn way more about how the body works than I ever wanted to
Know the entire nursing staff on a first name basis
Teach my husband how to process checks for the company
Manage doctors and hospital staff to make sure Dad is taken care of
Process CC charges and orders from Stitches
Spend more time managing doctors
Re-work office space to make it efficient for two
Bring Dad home
Continue to move office space and clean (a lot)!
Begin to see the possibility of getting caught up

In the mean time, my secret pal sent me a great gift which I will get photographed soon and up on the next post. I am going to try and be good (again).

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SP4 is Here!

Secret Pal 4 is started and I promised to post some pertinent information about myself. So for starters -- 10 things you would want to know if you were my secret pal:

1. I am generally a yarn snob preferring natural fibers -- but it is really all about how it looks and feels regardless of the material.

2. I own a mail order yarn company -- so look for manufacturers I don't offer on my web site!

3. I have no favorite colors. However, I look very good in that ugly "Army Green" color, I generally collect black yarn and when I am drawn to something, it is usually in the purple family.

4. I have no food allergies that I am aware of, but I would probably be better off if I was allergic to sugar and fat because I am in need of loosing about 20 - 30 pounds.

5. If I could have the ULTIMATE gift, it would be a complete set (read all sizes, all lengths in both circular and DPN) of both ebony and rosewood needles.

6. I can not remember the last time I knit from a pattern that I wasn't test knitting.

7. Although I still find knitting to be very fun, I cannot remember the last time that I actually knit just for fun -- there is always an alterior motive.

8. Entrelac is my favorite technique.

9. I love jazz music and have it on often.

10. I am turning 40 this year, and although it really doesn't seem like much of a deal to me, my younger husband keeps freaking out that his wife is so old -- but I love him anyway!

So there is a start! More later -- I am in the middle of getting ready for Stitches West in 10 days!

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Miss Me?

My guess is you didn't. I am really not that exciting to read. But my actual life on the other hand is fairly exciting. Things are really starting to move for me. So much so, I am trying to figure out how I can hire someone to help out with the business side of the business a couple of days a week.

She has already started helping and I can see with a bit more time, she could really make a huge difference, but exactly how I pay for her is a fairly significant issue -- to both of us!!!

I really am going to try and start bloggin regularly again, but in the mean time, be patient with me. Stitches West is coming up in a few weeks -- and it is going to be a bit insane until then!

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