Eat.Knit.Sleep

EDIT: I wrote this post a week a go, but have not yet been able to locate my camera cable so I'm posting without pictures.

I don't really have any excuses. I have been absent. I bailed on some things. Life got rough for me for a while.

I hesitate with what I want this blog to be. What it's original intent was, to meet knitters, and to record projects when I was newly obsessed and felt isolated. Some of that has been co opted by ravelry, which to be honest, I haven't been using to the best advantage.

I needed a break. Not from blogging because I never did that regularly anyhow, but just a break from everything that caused pressure.

I've noted here about my stresses at my job, and while I still don't believe that it is the long run career for me, the leaving of my former boss released so much stress, that I'm much happier where I am. This happiness has caused me to second guess some of my choices regarding going back to school for teaching. Do I really want to teach? Will I be a good teacher? Do I really want to earn less to most likely work harder? I'm somewhat torn between my desire to have a career that is meaningful, and starting to wonder if my meaning should be outside my career.

I'm still in school and plan to continue pursuing teaching, but all of this thought has brought up some interesting ideas about my life, my relationship and where I think everything is going. I've been thinking about whether or not I want to have children, and what that means for me and C (he does not). I've been thinking about knitting and spinning and baking (but not really doing much of any of it). Same goes for yoga and running. At some point I realized that during this "break," I inadvertently gave up a lot of things that I loved, finding myself watching TV with my knitting in front of me and not picking it up.

C and I were/are going through a rough spot, brought on by both of us questioning our lives in a probably very healthy way, and then reacting to those questions in a unhealthy and destructive way. I guess I'm still trying to figure it out. It's a strange thing growing up with someone in your life.

Any how, I don't think I've shown you what I have been knitting, if very intermittently and I have been enjoying it. It's Gale (Ravelry link), by Anne Hanson, in a beautiful kit from Wooly Wonka fibers.

Posted by Jenny at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hi, I'm Jenny, and I'm a procrastinator. After spending the majority of last week cramming for my midterm and then swearing I'd get ahead of my school work, here I am at 4:55 pm Sunday just starting. Ick.

I did have a good weekend though. Friday Carlos made a nice dinner and we had some wine and talked. Saturday we had a lazy day (although I skipped yoga which annoys me) and then went to IKEA to get a new desk chair for me and into Philly for dinner. We meant to go to a sushi place a friend recommended, but the wait was 2 hours and instead ended up all dressed up at a little hole in the wall Middle Eastern place and had an amazing meal. We then went to our favorite Belgian place for a few beers before trekking home to A-town.

Today was another lazy day . . . bagels and lox, 2 pots of coffee, and a lot of knitting. I did finish the first Jacobean sock, but I couldn't get a great picture so today I've actually been knitting on my scarf for the boy.

I'm pretty happy with how it is turning out. It is the Corrugator (ravelry link) pattern and is easy to memorize. It is a nice use of the Shephard Worsted C picked out when we were at Purl in December. It's getting very long and I'm not done yet with the 2nd skein (I bought 3) so he may end up with a matching hat or the like.

I'm making some excellent vegetarian split pea soup for the week and have to start the baked casserole for dinner tonight. (Did I tell you the trick to do work, school, and 90 minutes of yoga 3-4 times a week is cooking ahead on Sunday? Highly recommended). Oh, and do homework, so hopefully a better shot of the Jacobean sock later on.

Posted by Jenny at 04:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

So, I am home sick today. I have this weird combo of sinus headache, sore throat, and horrible stomach pains. I have been taking the time being home to catch up on some sleep, laundry, studying, blog reading, Lost watching, and yes knitting.

I had been focusing much of my energy on Oscar's sweater (which I have not blogged about yet) but misplaced the contrast yarn and the buttons that are needed for it, so that is on hold until I find those. I have been knitting however.

I decided, against all logical thought, to join the Sock Knitters Pentathlon (which is both a Yahoo group and a Ravelry group) even though I'm horrible about keeping up with these things. I did cast on for the sock last night and although the toe is a little weird shaped (this is only my second toe-up sock) I am enjoying it so far.

I am a little further a long than this is here:

Today has also given me some more time to think about things. I posted here before about my complete disinterest in my job, and you all know that I've started back to school for a career change to teaching. In the back of my mind since I made this decision, was a knowledge that in the fall I'm going to need to do some fieldwork as part of my classwork and I'm frightened that my job will not be supportive of me having to change my schedule. I've been trying to figure out a way to take more classes, and have more flexible work, but I've never had to do this with the responsibilities of a mortgage and a household and without wanting to put too much of a burden on C. Anyone have any experience with this? Well-paying part time jobs, flexible or work from home jobs, taking out student loans to cover some living expenses? Any advice would be appreciated

Posted by Jenny at 07:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

So, yeah . . . I'd been putting off writing a big New Year's round up post because I didn't have time, and here we are 3 weeks into the month.

I knew the days were passing, but today was the final straw -- Even C asked me (via google chat) why it had been so long since I posted.

So I decided to forgo the whole New Year's round up and just write about what I was currently working on (as in the exact second that C chatted me). Yeah, you know what Carole and Margene have been up to right?

Yeah, of course you do, it is January 21st!

So I took some pictures of some wool I have been washing (which included some Spunky Club fiber and some wool that came with my wheel), and some of what I am spinning now (more Spunky Club). Yeah, can't find my camera cable at all.

So, as I spend today doing homework (homework!), laundry, watching spinning videos on You Tube, and actually spinning, I guess I will write a short writeup. Not of what I accomplished in 2007 (nor a recap of the first 3 weeks of 2008 which haven't been so hot) but about what my plans are. Not resolutions per se, but plans.

1. Lose weight and feel healthy. What I'm doing towards this is taking yoga twice a week, which I am really enjoying. I also bought a treadmill so my biggest excuses for not running aren't applicable. Dark outside? Bad weather? Who cares! I've also rejoined Weight Watchers online. I'm not very overweight (actually I'm probably at the high side of normal) but I need to nip things in the bud, and frankly no exercise and no paying attention to what I eat isn't going to prevent me from becoming fat.

2. Get my shit together. Literally and figuratively. The more emotionally messed up I am and unhappy I am the more my world becomes physically messy, which leads to more stress and unhappiness, and I'm sure you can see the downward spiral here. This is especially tricky when my lovely BF is a bit of a neat freak, and has higher standards than some other men. I'm taking on a lot this year and I need to start getting organized.

3. Be happy and enjoy life and plan for a happy future. This is tied directly to Number 1 and Number 2. When I'm tired, and lethargic, and sad and living in a pigsty, this is impossible. Yoga and running are things that I actually enjoy when I make time to do it. I've started back to school this month towards my teacher certification, and it feels good. I also need to spend more time enjoying my hobbies like knitting and spinning. I buy beautiful fiber and yarn and I do so faster than I use it and then the guilt comes. I'm not going on a yarn diet, because I don't see anything wrong with buying yarn/fiber if I will enjoy it, and I'm not enjoying what I purchase now because the lethargy has hit my craftiness too. This stops now.

I don't want to set myself up for failure by being too specific in my goals but these are essentials to a good life, and the life that I want to lead. I must go work on organizing (and finding my camera cable), doing my homework and laundry, and getting ready for yoga tonight. I love days off!

Go Giants!

Posted by Jenny at 03:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

or better known as, hurry up, its cold!

I've been sick as a dog this week, actually missing 2 days of work. Trying to catch up on life and blogging will be a part of that. I am knitting a lot so expect to see more content.

Posted by Jenny at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, if you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know that I've been in somewhat of a funk. If you know me personally, you've probably noticed this too. You also know that a lot of this is related to my choice of career, and particularly to the job I currently have (and the particular person I report to).

Now, I haven't quit my job (yet. This is still a possibility.) I have, however, taken a step that will hopefully make a smart career change. Starting in January I will start going back to school and working towards teacher certification.

It's going to be long time and a lot of work for a program that grants no degree and a job that doesn't pay nearly as much as it should, but I feel good about it, and have really felt my mood lift since I made this decision.

So hopefully this change will make blog-life a little more interesting. I can imagine that Blah, Blah, and Blah must be boring to read.

On the knitting front I've got a lot on the needles right now. I'll show you another day -- need to keep the content coming!

Posted by Jenny at 06:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving, I know that I did. Here are few pics from my weekend, although I didn't take many at all.

Posted by Jenny at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Happy Monday!

It is 8am and I am not at work. Woot! (Not to rub it in for all of you that ARE at work, but I'm happy so don't rain on my parade).

I had been saving vacation days since June for our impending move which isn't happening, so now I am forced to take some vacation before the end of the year, so I decided to take this week off.

C and I are bailing on Thanksgiving and heading down to Cape May on Wed and I am super excited.

My weekend was pretty great. It started on Friday with some takeout from a local Mexican place. Can't go wrong with Veggie Burritos and Rice and Beans.

Saturday I went for a run, and came back home to C preparing bagels and lox. My favorite! Then he and I headed out shopping to pick out my birthday gift. He had decided to get me a full head-to-toe outfit for our dinner out in Cape May and he got me a beautiful tweed skirt with embroidery, a silk blouse, and hot new knee high boots, and came home and made me dinner to boot. What a catch!

Yesterday it was snowy here, so I stayed in my pjs and am thisclose to a finished Ariann (minus the belt and buttons) but I did manage to complete a Monkey sock.

I'm spending today cleaning the house, but hope to get a little knitting done too!

Posted by Jenny at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So, I had a great birthday weekend.

Friday, I took the day off work, because while I don't make big deals out of birthdays, my job is really not where I want to be ever, so seemed as good an excuse as ever to take a day off. I didn't really do much of anything, but finish ripping back the raglan decreases on Ariann (which didn't really decrease), and clean up the house a bit. Went for a short run too (did I mention I'm doing a half marathon in April?)

C picked me up and took me to dinner at a local restaurant. The service was a little off but the food was great, and it was nice to have a nice dinner out without C stressed out about not having a job. Very nice.

Yesterday, because apparently I get a birthday WEEKEND, not just a day, I got a pass on Oscar's vet appointment at 8:45. He and Oscar also found time to bring me back bagels and lox, my all time favorite breakfast!

We then went to the Allentown Fairgrounds to pick up some food for my SECOND birthday dinner, but ended up getting everything at Wegmans instead. We had a cheese course with some lovely champagne, a pork loin stuffed with fennel and onions, some roasted cauliflower, and for dessert Chocolate Grand Marnier Mousse. Am I lucky girl or what?

So, while I should be working on my grad school applications, looking for a new job (someone please think of a career for a girl in the suburbs who has only worked in sales and hates it), and training for my half marathon, I am instead basking in my laziness and knitting on Ariann and enjoying my birthday hangover. That is, until it is time to go to the store, and for me to hope that C doesn't notice that my home made mac and cheese will pale in comparison to his culinary skills!

And just because I haven't posted a picture in a while, here is what I am wearing today, which I think will be Tweedy Vest's last appearance. It's comfy, but kind of hairy and not flattering. I see Fuzzy Feet in my future . . .

Posted by Jenny at 12:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Totally not related to knitting -- anyone done a high deductible plan with an HSA for their health insurance, or am I just letting my big corporation employer off the hook?

Posted by Jenny at 06:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, today was C's first day at work, and it seems like a good fit. A lot of responsibility, the complete opposite of the cog in the giant machine he was in before he got laid off.

However, the new job is far away. Not so far that we have to move, but far enough that it is more convenient for him to stay in NJ 2 nights a week (I really hope my Dad meant it when he said this was ok).

So, his first big day and he's not coming home. Weird for me, and very weird for Oscar who has had him home with him for the last 4 months.

So, I made a salad for dinner, and am doing some laundry, drinking a beer, and frogging back my Secret of the Stole to the beginning. I made a mistake somewhere, and as I was tinking back to find it, I realized I really wish I had gone a needle size smaller, so that I will do. Hopefully, I won't regret it.

(BTW, lace knitters- Knitpicks is having a great sale including some of their lace weights. I may have bought some, and finally succumbed to buying Wrap Style even though I hate ponchos and can't imagine wearing a caplet!)

Posted by Jenny at 07:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I want to thank all of you for your good wishes on C's new job (and on the brown sweater - which I love). He starts tomorrow and he is uber excited.

Friday, I took a half day at work so we could celebrate. We went down to IKEA and bought a whole bunch of stuff -- a new bookshelf/yarn storage unit for me, some shades for C's office, a desk chair, and then headed down to Philly for the best place on earth: Monk's Cafe

While I know there is a lot of great food in the Lowell/Boston area -- I'm so glad we don't have to leave the driving vicinity of Monks! Belgian beer, mussels, what more can a girl want (and also in walking distance of Rosie's Yarn Cellar, but I didn't go this weekend)

Saturday we did a whole day of "back to work" shopping. C has lost some weight and wanted to get some new clothes and I have gained some weight and reluctantly bought new clothes; all in all a long tiring day where I DID NOT buy a new MacBook Pro.

We also registered for a half marathon this weekend, which is scary and exciting being that neither of us currently run on a regular basis.

I've also been knitting. Here are some progress shots of the Monkey socks and Ariann:

Posted by Jenny at 02:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

In fact, tired doesn't even describe how tired I actually am.

I did not get much sleep last night. That being said, the amount of sleep I got last night was more than a typical night in college, which was only 6 years ago.

Anyway, I was completely useless at work today, and was especially thrilled by the "motivational" emails my boss likes to send me to ask me why I am not on the phone with customers (on my lunch hour), and skipped out as soon as I could.

Did I rush home to take a nap? to have some tea? to go for a long walk with C and Oscar?

Nope. Secret of the Stole beckoned. I'm obsessed.

Posted by Jenny at 07:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I am really loving this pattern. I'm a bit further along than this photo represents, but my pictures weren't coming out well.

That picture also shows the Knitpicks Harmony DPNs for those of you who haven't seen them yet. They oddly match the yarn I'm using almost perfectly.

I've also cast-on for the Secret of the Stole and am loving knitting it so far. Pictures also came out blurry.

Turns out a personal day on Friday is just what I needed. Had lunch with C and picked up some yarn to make my Dad's Birthday present. (Henry if anyone is interested). We also watched Transamerica, which is worth watching.

Yesterday we slept late, which I hadn't done in FOREVER, and we took Oscar for a long walk, went out to lunch again (really great behavior for couple living on one income) and out for coffee.

Today I'm taking some much needed knitting time and then making chili (and C will make margaritas).

Good weekend overall, and I'm going to try to keep the stress levels down moving forward. I know eventually C will find a new job, and we will leave PA, and I will get to quit my job. So I'm going to try to do my job, but I'm not going to go above and beyond or succumb to the pressure and the stress and the "do or die" environment that they want me to or to the unethical behavior that some feel the need to do to keep their jobs. If I lose my job, then that's what happens.

Hope all of you are enjoying your weekends as well.

Posted by Jenny at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Another thing that makes things better . . .

Posted by Jenny at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Also, not one but TWO pairs of finished socks.

Not to be without a sock on the needles. I started a pair of Monkey's with this last night

No one at the yarn shop told C about dyelots but these look pretty close!

Posted by Jenny at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

There are so many posts that I could have written in the last 2 weeks. Why is it when life is most interesting, and I feel like I have SO much to say (and no one to say it to) I don't come here?

The weekend in Boston/Lowell was good. We liked the area a lot, we spent a beautiful day in Boston (and I'd be showing you pictures right now if the camera cable wasn't AWOL again). We had a nice dinner with C's potential employer.

Without getting too personal about C here, the interview didn't go as well as he had hoped, but after many talks and emails, strong references, we have a preliminary offer that we are waiting to be finalized. It isn't as much money as we had hoped, as Mass is much more expensive than PA, and we will be responsible for our own moving costs, but word is on the street that there are no other jobs out there period right now, so we'd be stupid not to take the offer.

I'm happy for C, because this is a relief for him. I'm starting to feel overwhelmed by the idea of living here alone, selling a house, moving someplace where I don't know what I will do or how I will fit in. I started looking online for potential jobs, and I don't even know where to start because I really don't want to keep doing what I am doing. I know I will be fine and I will figure it out, but from this side of things, I can't see how.

So, I've been knitting and spinning a lot because they are the last thing I should be doing. I've finished the second Trekking sock, and will cast on for the second Calla Lilly sock today. I'm almost completed with the body of the Bluebell Boatneck from Fitted Knits. I've purchased yarn and beads and swatched for the Secret of the Stole KAL.

Distraction is the best plan right now.

Posted by Jenny at 08:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

So, we are going up to Massachusetts on Saturday. C's interview is on Tuesday and we are going to be having dinner with his potential boss in the weekend before so things seem good. I'm excited and happy and freaking out all at the same time. Wish us the best.

The idea of him moving there without me and me being left to sell the house scares me. I've never sold a house. Will we be able to afford to keep an apartment and the house? What is the alternative? When should I quit my job? All of it is scary and exciting and I am so ready to shut this chapter of our life.

That being said, I've been knitting along on the Boatneck which WILL be a Rhinebeck sweater. I'm also at the toe decreases of the sock. I just tried to take some pictures but they sucked so I will post some when I have some natural light.

I should get back to cleaning out my office. I'm trying to do the prelim stuff to make this house look less cluttered.

Oh, I wish I could quit my job now!

Posted by Jenny at 08:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So last week or so I won a contest on the YoYo Knits.

Alyson sent me this:

Which contained this:

I love it!

So, I'm feeling much better today. Slept a lot last night and C and I went out to lunch and to get a new shade for our deck door. We are planning on going mountain biking tomorrow.

I've spent some time working on neatening my office and turning this

into this

It is some beautiful brown Cascade 220 Heathers destined to become the Bluebell Boatneck (warning: Ravelry link) from Fitted Knits . At the rate I've been knitting I decided casting on for a Fall sweater makes the most sense. Of course, given Murphy's Law this means I will finish this sweater while it is still hot out.

Also, yesterday C got a call from a headhunter about a possible interview for a position in Lowell, MA. Anyone have some thoughts on the area? I've been doing some research and it seems like a city that might be turning around. Last time I was there (probably late 1980s) it was pretty dodgy. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Posted by Jenny at 05:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Dude, this is my 200th post!

And I'm still the loser with no camera cable. I swear it is in this room somewhere and I had it not too long ago!

I'm having one of those days. I didn't sleep well last night and I've been a little grumpy and fat today. I'm not sure the fat part has anything to do with the sleeping, but I feel particularly fat today. I'm sure that has nothing to do with the fact that I ate ice cream twice yesterday.

Our trip to New Hope was nice, although I'm very sunburnt right now. I'm sure that is helping a lot with the crankiness.

In knitting news, for some reason I realized only today as I started the toe decreases that the second Trekking sock is made for someone with the gout. Or elephantitis of the leg and foot. Or Shrek. I need to rip back, but I also need a break. Working on CeCe is a nice change from the stockinette sock and I hope to be able to show you soon.

I've also been spinning up my Celebration Shetland from the Spunky Club. I'm making a real effort to spin a little heavier, but I'm nervous about the plying because I suck ass at it. I'm thinking of making my own lazy kate (per Elspeth's advice and the fact that my Woolee WInder bobbins don't fit well on the Kate that came with my wheel).

I'm sleepy now, and am going to get ready for bed. Good night.

Posted by Jenny at 09:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, no pictures today either. Which sucks, because I actually have stuff to show you.

I've turned the heel and done the gusset decreases on the Trekking socks, which are so autumn it kills me.

I've finished the knitting and seaming on the Daisy sweater, and just need to sew on buttons and mail it off the the baby who is 6 days old.

I've finished knitting the Ballband Dishcloth and it is already in use in my kitchen.

I've finished spinning the BFL from Hello Yarn, and just need to get up the nerve to ply it. I suck at plying.

It's been a little touch and go around here.

My job is extremely demoralizing . . . they are asking us to work harder for significantly less pay (I'm earning about 1/3 of what I was a few months ago) and they are not letting people move to different positions within the company. I can't afford to quit because C still hasn't had any job interviews and we don't know where we will be living so I don't want to look for a new job around here.

We are 12 days a way from when C loses his benefits and gets his severance pay out which is all he will get (besides unemployment) until he gets a new job.

One of C's former coworkers who was laid off with him killed himself, leaving behind a wife and 3 small children. C is taking it hard. It makes me extraordinarily sad, while simultaneously, very grateful for what I have.

I don't have time to go searching for the cable today, or at least right now, because we will be heading down to the New Hope Automotive Show to hopefully distract C and let him have a good time before heading off to the service for his friend tomorrow.

Posted by Jenny at 09:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I can't believe it has been so long since I've posted.

To be honest, part of it is because I didn't know how to compose a post about life after C losing his job. Still no new job, no interviews, no nothing. Although I'm still happier than when he was going to work in hell everyday, but the stress is palpable.

That being said, we went on vacation to Santa Fe and it was wonderful. I'm slowly working on creating a Flickr set, and I will link when that is said and done. I've also been knitting and spinning a bit and have some progress to show on that (i.e. Sockapalooza socks and Daisy sweater). I, however, cannot find my camera cable again. When I DO find it I will take a picture of the state of my room, so you all may understand why I can never find my cable.

I have a lot to talk about, but I'm too tired to put pen to paper now (or fingers to keyboard as the case may be) but I will start working on some posting now. I want this blog to be a place where I can showcase my writing style, or see if i have a writing style, and I plan to, well, plan my posts a little more. I hope you all will stick around.

Good night.

Posted by Jenny at 10:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

on vacation. See you next week! Have a great fourth!

Posted by Jenny at 03:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You guys are amazing! Your power is scary.

C got laid off this morning.

Gulp.

Posted by Jenny at 10:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

So, I've been thinking a lot lately.

In my experience, this is never a good thing.

I'm sure there has been some sense of my general frustration with life here, lately, but I have been having so much trouble describing it to anyone, Carlos, my parents, my friends, or even myself, without getting unreasonably angry or upset, that I didn't really know how to talk about it here.

However, it has been on the forefront of my mind, so I've had trouble NOT talking about it as well, thus this is partially one reason for my lack of posting.

(Of course, this either means that I've been frustrated for the entire time I've been writing this blog -- over 2 years now -- or I'm just really good at making excuses)

I'm at a sort of impasse right now. Without getting into specifics, I'm at a point in my job where my position is on the line. I work in a high-stress environment, where I'm paid on performance, and my "performance" is based somewhat on things outside of my control. At the very least, my pay (I'm paid on commission) is going to be reduced by at least 50% in the next few months, at worst, I will lose my job.

The idea of taking another sales job actually physically makes me sick, but it is all I have done since graduating with my uber-practical History major in 2001. I have a mortgage, and a house that will be difficult to sell for what we paid for it 2 years ago, and while I have no other debt, the mortgage is not small -- and C's job is very tentative right now, so I can't rely on him.

I'm at the point where I hope he gets let go in the rumored lay-offs this week to give us an excuse to sell the house at a loss, and start over somewhere. I just don't know how to start.

I was talking to my mother last week and I mentioned how I've always been working. In school I was a very hard worker, working harder than I needed to to get a decent grade, in college I chose my studies based on what I thought I was best at, not what challenged me, or what interested me, or what I could see myself doing for the rest of my life, because I was so afraid to fail. And now, I feel like a complete failure anyway.

I'm reading all the books you are supposed to read when you feel like this, but it is hard for me to sort out what I REALLY enjoy doing, because I never really had that in my life until I became involved in knitting, and spinning and the blogs I read much more often than I comment or post here.

I've often avoided posting when things in my life were "too hard" to talk about, but I want to share them here. I want to start pushing myself to do things that are challenging to me, and to get off safe ground, because safe does not equal happy for me right now.

This is not the post I intended to write after spending some time today photographing my stash for Ravelry, but as I can't find my camera cable in the mess in my fiber room, this is the post it will be.

Thanks for reading.

Posted by Jenny at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is what my new toy looked like when I posted yesterday:

You can see some of my fiber stash spilling out of the closet there.

This is what my new friend looks like now:

This is the most enjoyable, consistent, usable spinning of done so far, and that alone makes it worth the price of admission.

I also want to share my beautiful new orifice hook, which matches the BFL top I'm using perfectly.

On a different note, growing up really sucks. It sucks for a lot of reasons, but today it is really bothering me because you start to think about your future in a different way. When I was younger, I thought about my future all the time as the light at the end of the tunnel; Adulthood would be a respite after the turbulence of adolescence. Lately, I find myself thinking a lot about how my actions now will inform my future, and it is making for a rather difficult present. I need some change in my life and I'm not sure of how to get it.

Now, I will distract myself with blurry pictures of baby bunnies

Posted by Jenny at 02:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

but evidence of progress!

This is actually the second sleeve of Ariann which means I might actually have a finished object some time this millennium.

I had a good time in Cleveland, but time with my family always makes me reevaluate what I'm doing with my life, as my family always seems to be doing something more meaningful and seem more content with their respective lives.

Apparently, my introspection makes me somewhat difficult to be around, and thus C has been feeling a bit like this lately.

I'm tired and it is hot, and I have to go out to dinner with the boss from hell tomorrow so I leave you with Oscar on the road . . .

CLOSEUP!!!

I love that dog!

Posted by Jenny at 09:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

to Cleveland. As we are driving, I'm hoping to have knitting to show you when I return as it is a lot of time in the car.

Have a great weekend!

Posted by Jenny at 08:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ok, one of my guilty pleasures is the show Work Out on Bravo. Watching it makes me feel both really fat and lazy and motivated to work out. Problem is that I catch it either when I'm sick, or feeling lazy late at night so the working out never really happens.

I've been saying as long as I've been saying I'll post more here that I want fitness to be a part of my life. I don't know how much I meant it, as mostly I was just concerned with the number on my scale. I'm still concerned with that number and wish it was about 20 lbs. less than it is, but really I just want some energy back. I want to be able to stay up late if I want, or get up early if I want, and not feel that I just can be a lump when I get home from work. I also don't want to feel guilty if I DO feel like being a lump.

I read Crazy Aunt Purl, and I admire her "Not a Diet" and I want to adopt that for myself, with a a "Not a Workout," plan or some sort of mindset that gets me healthy and happy but maintains my sanity. I feel liek posting this type of thing here, keeps me accountable so expect more of that here in the coming posts.

I've also been noticing a lack of comments when I don't have a big bandage on my face, so now I know what brings you guys out! I've decided on the Wildfoote for my pal, because I don't want the beautiful handpaint to be wasted on me, when I have the opportunity to knit it for someone who will really love the colors. I haven't picked a pattern yet though, so if you have any ideas let me know.

I've been spinning

On the left, the basic wool that came with my wheel, and on the right some 2-ply BFL that came with my original spindle kit. Very thick and thin as I had trouble with the first single, and I must have spun much finer with the second bobbin as I have tons left over even though both were made with the same amount of fiber. I'm thinking of trying Navajo plying with the leftovers just for kicks.

I've also been knitting away on the second sleeve for Ariann which is a very enjoyable knit. And drinking this

as C needs the bottles for homebrew. Mmmm beer.

Posted by Jenny at 11:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I meant to post this last week . . .

Posted by Jenny at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As of today, C and I have been living together 5 years. Those of you that know us might understand why that is such an accomplishment.

He has seen me through all the good and all the bad (and there was a fair bit) that comes with your early 20s. Hopefully, not just MY early 20s.

This weekend was both good and bad, and not much knittiing was done. Friday was fantabulous. I left work after a half a day, C and I dropped the pup at my Dad's and went to Princeton for Indian Food, Medeski Martin and Wood, and the Bent Spoon. Great concert, awesoom food, wonderful night.

Saturday we got up early, got some breakfast and spent the morning reading until my Dad got back to his place, then we went out for lunch with him before heading down to Philly. C was meeting the guys for a bachelor party, and I had a date with Rosie's Yarn Cellar, where I purchased some Calmer to make a CeCe. Then I met up with my cousin, with whom I discovered, I cannot hold my own with Business School People.

No joke, these people drink like fishes, and Sunday was not fun. Not fun at all.

The experience has lead me to reevaluate my drinking. I'm not saying that I'm quitting, or that I have a problem, but that I've noticed that with more than 3 drinks I don't make good choices for my health. I sometimes "forget" that I quit smoking, I drink more, and I eat badly so that needs to stop just to take better care of myself and avoid hangovers from hell.

I'm a knitter, spending an entire day on the couch without the energy to knit, and it was brought on only by my stupidity . . .not worth it.

Posted by Jenny at 02:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Posted by Jenny at 02:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So, a couple of weeks ago I broke my nose. I got hit with a door, big nosebleed, the whole nine yards. I didn't really believe that I had broken it, so I waited a few days to go to my family doctor. He suspected it was broken, sent me for an x-ray and referred me to a specialist. My nose was swollen and crooked looking, and I was having trouble breathing out of the right side. The X-Ray showed no fracture, or cartilage damage, although my septum was deviated and the Dr. thought that was the reason for the trouble breathing (although if my septum had ALWAYS been deviated, I don't know why it would only give me trouble after I banged my nose!). Anyway, I pressed, and he decided I should have a CAT Scan in case the swelling was hiding a fracture. I had that last Thursday, and a follow up appointment with the ENT specialist on Tuesday. Yep, there was a fracture, and it was indenting my bone into my nasal canal restricting my breathing, so yesterday I had surgery to straighten it out.

Now I look like this:

Please excuse the no makeup, bad hair. I haven't showered since yesterday because I need to take baths until the splint comes off next week, and I need Carlos' help to wash my hair. (This is when a boyfriend who actually has hair might have come in handy, although he was a sweetie who took the day to spend with me in the hospital yesterday although it was a minor, out-patient procedure).

The pain wasn't so bad last night or this morning, although just now when my Percocet wore off it hurts a lot, and I'm not looking forward to going to work tomorrow, in pain with the funny splint on my nose. Why I have no problem posting the photo on the internet, I do not know.

I spent a fair time knitting, spinning, and reading today which was nice. I finished the bobbin of 2-ply I was working on, started the waist increases on Ariann, and have been knitting on the Cable Rib socks, because I really need some grey socks. Oscar definitely enjoyed me being home.

Really, really don't want to go to work tomorrow. Think the big plaster cast will help in my quarterly review from the boss with completely unrealistic expectations (how a sales person who has never missed their quota, and has a great relationship with my customers and coworkers and consistently get negative reviews, I will never know! -- I need to find a job without all the politics).

Posted by Jenny at 05:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

So here I am. Back at work. Feeling much better, but not particularly happy to be here.

It was nice being home for 4 days. I would really like to find a line of work where I can work from home. I'm just so much more at peace and productive there.

Now Carlos is sick, and sleeping in the guest room, because I am not catching this again.

I haven't been knitting, since the aforementioned Picovili disaster, but I have been spinning more. In case you didn't believe me that I have a LOT more wool that came with my wheel . ..I predrafted everything I have left yesterday.

Posted by Jenny at 09:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Yeah, so I've been back from Seattle for a while and I haven't posted anything. I suck.

Again, I had some trouble with re-entry. I did when I got back from London in August, from Philadelphia in November (which was only a 2-day trip), and now from Seattle which was only 4-5 days.

Now, Seattle was a wonderful place, but primarily, I was there to visit my friend Mika, and not the city.

I wish I had taken photos of her neighborhood, Magnolia, which had the cutest little (which I gather are not ACTUALLY little once inside) Craftsman houses, and beautiful landscaping. However, in typical Jenny fashion, my battery died after taking my only photo in Seattle, on the drive from the airport.

However, I don't think it was Seattle's charm, that made my re-entry difficult. Nor was it returning to C, with whom I didn't speak to once on my trip, although living the single-girl life did make me regret I never had the chance to live alone (not that I'm looking for that chance now). I'm just not very happy with where my life is now. Literally. Where it is. I'm not happy with my job, which is fine, but I don't really like my line of work. I just hate living where we live, and it has hermited me in many ways. I'm pretty sure I just made up that word. I spend a lot of time at home (and my hobbies of knitting, spinning, and doing nothing make that easy) and don't get out there and live my life, or meet people, that may make living here easier. Major Catch-22.

Being stuck here, has made it difficult to deal with the second problem. I hate my career, and the fact that I'm good at it actually bothers me. Mika made a point to me on my trip that she found it ironic that she was at law school, and I was selling in corporate America and she felt that I was wasting my intelligence at my job. I thought about that on the whole flight home -- I truly feel like I am getting stupider every day. That being said, because I hope to move in the next year, I don't feel comfortable trying to make a career change or go back to school when I don't know when or where or with whom I am going.

Things have been getting better with C lately, and I think we are going to make it. Although I did just start a hormonally based fight with him, and he's downstairs watching soccer alone while I drink a beer upstairs before 2 in the afternoon. His contract at his awful job ended on the 28th, and he is free to seek other opportunities without having to pay his company back for our relocation.

Oh, you want to know about knitting (I haven't been spinning much lately). I finished one cabled sock, finished one Rosedale sleeve, have made some progress on Thermal and a stockinette sock I started for my trip. Unfortunately, no pictures though, because again, in typical Jenny fashion, I have yet to charge the damn battery for my camera or find my cable.

I'm planning on making some minor changes to the site in the next few weeks so look out for that!

Posted by Jenny at 01:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So I'm trying to muddle through. Things aren't much better at home, but I still managed to have a decent night. (This does not explain the way I managed to pick a fight this morning).

After dinner, which C made, and we watched a West Wing episode off our DVD, I decided to watch a movie. I brought down my basket of Romney roving and turned it into this:

I watched Thirteen. It was pretty disturbing but well made.

I also wanted to show you the status of my Everyday Cardi and my Bejeweled Scarf, both of which are lying on the floor of my office with the upmost respect. I found this:

Notice he is not just lying on the sweater, but the pattern himself. I got him off, and took this picture of my Bejeweled scarf:

And turned around and saw this:

I gave up, and went to bed.

Posted by Jenny at 11:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It's pretty bleak outside. Grey, and they said it might snow but it didn't.

I was about to say that I had a nice, long weekend, but in reality it wasn't so nice. Actually, it kind of sucked.

I did a lot of laundry. I spun a little. I knit a lot. I started finishing my Everyday Cardi (which I'm not sure will fit right when I am done). I am almost done with Bejeweled. I finished Fetching (and I love them), and I started a pair of cably socks. I also taught myself to cable without a cable needle. I made a big pot of chili.

It would have been easy to gloss over this weekend, the way I did to people at work when they asked me how it was, but in reality I spent much of the time crying and alone.

C and I have had a really difficult relationship, and it was a really difficult decision for us to buy our house together, and now that we are looking towards our next move, it was difficult for us to decide to take this next step together. Things had been going really well over the past few weeks, and I felt closer to C then ever, but last week I started to second guess myself. I started to wonder when the other shoe would drop. In other words, I freaked out. And I wasn't very fun to be around.

I think, subconsciously, I just wanted C to comfort me and to tell me that everything was going to be ok, and we would live happily ever after, but that isn't really his style. He is honest to a fault and doesn't like to candy coat things, and is usally content to say that he hopes we work out but he can't say for sure that we will, or that anyone will. Instead, I transferred my doubts to C, and it was a pretty messy weekend, and is still pretty messy today.

I'm not quite sure what is going to happen . . . C isn't ready to talk about it (I realize this after a weekend of trying to force him to talk) and I'm feeling more down, and more insecure than if I hadn't completly freaked out and instead had been honest about my feelings.

So that is where I am right now, and that is why I forgot to take photos of my progress, and why I'm generally blah today. And I'm glad that it is grey today . . . it suits me.

Posted by Jenny at 02:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm feeling a little blah today . . .I'm hoping that goes away before my run in 9 hours!

I'm definitely feeling like I'm having trouble getting going this year. For the first time ever, the only thing i seem capable of accomplishing is my fitness goal. (I have run/walked every other day since the new year).

I've lost some momentum at work, and have had some confusion as to how to deal with some possible upcoming issues there, and I'm starting to think I may have handled things the wrong way and now need to back track.

It is finally cold enough to wear the Everyday sweater but I'm too lazy to finish it. This is what it looks like now:

I've sewn one sleeve on (badly) and the other is pinned on, and I still need to knit the collar and buttonbands.

I haven't knitted on Bejeweled in a few days, although I think I will a little tonight, because after seeing Margene's, I want to wear mine!

I have been spinning a bit, but still haven't completed my first bobbin! I think it is fear of plying that is holding me back.

And I finished my first Fetching glove, but haven't cast on for the second.

I'm hoping the 3.5 day weekend I have will help get me out of my funk!

Posted by Jenny at 09:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So this weekend was good, low key, but good.

Friday we had a work outing to go bowling. I suck at bowling, but I had a good time, and was home by 7 for pizza and wine with C.

Saturday I ran, whic