Not yet. But I fear the end is nigh.
Ok, that's probably not true. It's just the knitting thing isn't working out right now. I think - I'm not really sure.
See, my hands are in real rough shape right now due to allergies. In fact, my allergies and I just celebrated our one-year anniversary of getting to know each other. It's a roller coaster relationship. Every time they come back - swearing they'll be nicer and won't drink as much - I'm all "here we go again," and I try kicking them to the curb with tubes of hydrocortizone and other such topicals. But they just keep reappearing. I work with them, and they follow me to shopping malls, restaurants, friends' houses ... and they hide out in my own house, too. I need a restraining order.
Anyways: yarn. I know all the ingredients of my Seventh Generation products because it is a good company that isn't all wrapped up in crazy legal hoo-ha like claiming a list of ingredients is "proprietary." Well, Tide, your precious property was keeping me up at night itching the backs of my knees.
ANYWAYS ... yarn. I do not know the exact ingredients of any of the yarns I use. How do you even go about finding such information? Obviously the label says "wool" or "cotton" or "acrylic" and so forth, but what kinds of substances might be added in the processing and shipping of the yarn? I don't know, and the internet (I can't believe I'm saying this) has failed me. If the internet cannot solve this for me, my life and entire college education is meaningless.
Is the yarn of A's stocking irritating my digits? I can't just stop making it, so tonight I did something totally nerdy and very annoying - I knit with rubber gloves on.
Showing posts with label Um.... Show all posts
Showing posts with label Um.... Show all posts
December 8, 2011
June 29, 2011
Special people.
In the early years of high school I would come home everyday to a house devoid of parents for a few hours and could lounge at the television or computer at complete ease. In the summers, even the later ones when I had a part-time job, I had so much time on my hands that I now have no idea what I did with it all.
NOW summers are always filled before they begin and I wonder if this is different in regions where residents get more than a few months of good outdoor time. For us, the last half of June is *ridiculously* busy. In a good way except that I'm actually sick of eating cake.
June 14: Flag Day. Also the day Minneapolis was hit by a history-making tornado, which happened the same year that hubs was born. Here he is in all his adorableness:
This might also be a glimpse into our child's future. Hubs is my stability and also my insanity. Seriously, he drives me crazy sometimes. But his obsessiveness about certain things are a good balance to my carelessness, and vice versa. Most of the time he's actually keeping me sane. I'm trying to figure out how to impress upon him that he'll need to step it up a notch when the baby's here because my mental state at that point might end up where the unlucky Price is Right mountain climber goes.
June 19: Laura's birthday. Seven. Seven! Second grade?! She is loving, dramatic, and impatient. Sometimes she surprises you with her logic - sometimes her lack of logic. She wears her heart on her sleeve and she wants to be a teacher.
June 19: Sarah's birthday. She's the pig on the right. We've been besties for most of our lives so she knows all my secrets. She's actually the reason I wanted to do this post (even though I planned on posting it much sooner). See, she always has terrible awful horrible birthdays. To the point where you wouldn't even believe it if I told you. And this is sad because she is so passionate and open-minded and FUN! So we had a little date the day before her birthday and I think it was actually a good one. Nobody broke up or didn't show - and nobody showed who shouldn't have. No parties were ruined and I'm pretty sure no tears were cried. SUCCESS! And part of birthdays/holidays is celebrating special people, so this post was born.
Also June 19: Father's Day. My dad is hilarious. He gets me. He would do anything for me. He makes the best beef stroganoff in the world. Also the best ribs. He's the kind of dad they made Father's Day for (unless you're a cynic and believe it's just a holiday for retailers to capitalize on - shut up, just let me have this!).
June 21: Missy's birthday. I don't have a picture because I was planning on taking one at the pool party but it rained. Boo. So I wasn't able to hang out but heard it was one of her top birthdays. She's another lady who's had some rough times but deserves a good, solid, awesome birthday. Karma says rain can't stop a good birthday.
June 30: Grandma's birthday. Rounding out the month is an 89-year-old woman who loves double impatiens, Christmas cookies, and my dog. Seeing a family member grow old is not pleasant, but she still has moments of laughter and ease. She's excited to meet the baby, and I've been hoping he'll have similar memories of his grandma to my memories of mine. Sleepovers, grilled cheese, cinnamon raisin toast, watching old shows (for us it was Dick Van Dyke and My Three Sons).
Sheets and sheets of Christmas cookies.
NOW summers are always filled before they begin and I wonder if this is different in regions where residents get more than a few months of good outdoor time. For us, the last half of June is *ridiculously* busy. In a good way except that I'm actually sick of eating cake.
June 14: Flag Day. Also the day Minneapolis was hit by a history-making tornado, which happened the same year that hubs was born. Here he is in all his adorableness:
This might also be a glimpse into our child's future. Hubs is my stability and also my insanity. Seriously, he drives me crazy sometimes. But his obsessiveness about certain things are a good balance to my carelessness, and vice versa. Most of the time he's actually keeping me sane. I'm trying to figure out how to impress upon him that he'll need to step it up a notch when the baby's here because my mental state at that point might end up where the unlucky Price is Right mountain climber goes.
June 19: Laura's birthday. Seven. Seven! Second grade?! She is loving, dramatic, and impatient. Sometimes she surprises you with her logic - sometimes her lack of logic. She wears her heart on her sleeve and she wants to be a teacher.
June 19: Sarah's birthday. She's the pig on the right. We've been besties for most of our lives so she knows all my secrets. She's actually the reason I wanted to do this post (even though I planned on posting it much sooner). See, she always has terrible awful horrible birthdays. To the point where you wouldn't even believe it if I told you. And this is sad because she is so passionate and open-minded and FUN! So we had a little date the day before her birthday and I think it was actually a good one. Nobody broke up or didn't show - and nobody showed who shouldn't have. No parties were ruined and I'm pretty sure no tears were cried. SUCCESS! And part of birthdays/holidays is celebrating special people, so this post was born.
Also June 19: Father's Day. My dad is hilarious. He gets me. He would do anything for me. He makes the best beef stroganoff in the world. Also the best ribs. He's the kind of dad they made Father's Day for (unless you're a cynic and believe it's just a holiday for retailers to capitalize on - shut up, just let me have this!).
June 21: Missy's birthday. I don't have a picture because I was planning on taking one at the pool party but it rained. Boo. So I wasn't able to hang out but heard it was one of her top birthdays. She's another lady who's had some rough times but deserves a good, solid, awesome birthday. Karma says rain can't stop a good birthday.
June 30: Grandma's birthday. Rounding out the month is an 89-year-old woman who loves double impatiens, Christmas cookies, and my dog. Seeing a family member grow old is not pleasant, but she still has moments of laughter and ease. She's excited to meet the baby, and I've been hoping he'll have similar memories of his grandma to my memories of mine. Sleepovers, grilled cheese, cinnamon raisin toast, watching old shows (for us it was Dick Van Dyke and My Three Sons).
Sheets and sheets of Christmas cookies.
May 21, 2011
31 weeks.
Technically, we're at 31 weeks and 2 days.
Goings on:
This morning I'm pretty sure I was scratched on the inside.
I continue to eat copious amounts of sugar, but some of it is in the form of fruit so stop judging me.
The right side of my diaphragm (front and back) continues to be increasingly squished.
In a strange diversion from my normal doomsdayish thinking, I'm feeling like I'm going to KICK ASS at birthing this child.
On the other hand I'm uber sensitive about the welt of a blemish on my cheek that won't go away, the fact that I either bought the wrong size shoes or my feet are indeed swelling, and the way my ridiculous hair never does what I want and I'm starting to have crazed visions of doing something drastic - like cutting my own bangs or buying a wig.
Nine more weeks, give or take. Cripes. Totally not ready, but pretty excited. Also a little hungry.
Goings on:
This morning I'm pretty sure I was scratched on the inside.
I continue to eat copious amounts of sugar, but some of it is in the form of fruit so stop judging me.
The right side of my diaphragm (front and back) continues to be increasingly squished.
In a strange diversion from my normal doomsdayish thinking, I'm feeling like I'm going to KICK ASS at birthing this child.
On the other hand I'm uber sensitive about the welt of a blemish on my cheek that won't go away, the fact that I either bought the wrong size shoes or my feet are indeed swelling, and the way my ridiculous hair never does what I want and I'm starting to have crazed visions of doing something drastic - like cutting my own bangs or buying a wig.
Nine more weeks, give or take. Cripes. Totally not ready, but pretty excited. Also a little hungry.
November 3, 2010
I am so sorry about this post.
You know, I was just thinking to myself, "self, what if instead of writing a blog about the mundane goings-on of a crafter, you wrote about the mundane status of your health and various medications? On one hand, the topics are equally uninteresting to a world of people who are busy with their own crafts and have their own bodies and minds to worry about. On the other, they're both just about the nitty-gritty of life, to which everyone can relate. Plus people are super voyeuristic and will read just about anything."
And then I was all, "you know, that's all true, but the real benefit of a state-of-being blog such as we're discussing is that it will finally give the elderly motivation to join the internets!"*
And then I wondered how a post might go, and imagined this:
Dear Electronic Universe,
Well, the diverticulitis is flaring up again. At least I think that's what the pain in my side and the random diarrhea is. I don't know why in God's name I ate that popcorn last night. The chlordiazepoxide does nothing, so I'm going to take Martha's advice and ask the doctor for ciprofloxacin, which you have to take three times a day** unfortunately. That'll make 13 pills every 24 hours! Doc has to adjust my thyroid medication, too. And then add to that the antibiotic ointment he'll most likely prescribe for my eczema. Guess I'll be sleeping with socks on my hands again!
See, I made most of that up*** and it was still really cathartic. And I bet there's a heap of folks who would commiserate on any one of the many implicated ailments. If I were elderly I might not have included links, because I probably couldn't figure out how to do it,**** and let's hope I couldn't figure out how to upload pictures because there is a time and place for visuals and this would not be it, but old people often lose their sense of inhibition and do some pretty crazy - and sometimes nasty - stuff.*****
* It's not habitual for me to have discussions with myself like this.
** No idea what the dosage is, and I don't care.
*** Actually, this just a small sample of some of the medical problems plaguing my family members.
**** I feel really bad about saying that. It's just that my grandma, whom I love dearly, has a lift chair with three buttons that she cannot master. It frustrates her and everyone else, but it is what it is. Not 30 myself, I can tell my brain function is not what it used to be - *possibly* due to computer use, but that would be entirely counterproductive to point out here.
***** I feel bad about saying this, too. But that same grandmother, and her mother before her (both well past the age of 80 at their respective outbursts), has declared, "ah, bit by the trouser worm!" after learning of some relatives' pregnancy or other.
And then I was all, "you know, that's all true, but the real benefit of a state-of-being blog such as we're discussing is that it will finally give the elderly motivation to join the internets!"*
And then I wondered how a post might go, and imagined this:
Dear Electronic Universe,
Well, the diverticulitis is flaring up again. At least I think that's what the pain in my side and the random diarrhea is. I don't know why in God's name I ate that popcorn last night. The chlordiazepoxide does nothing, so I'm going to take Martha's advice and ask the doctor for ciprofloxacin, which you have to take three times a day** unfortunately. That'll make 13 pills every 24 hours! Doc has to adjust my thyroid medication, too. And then add to that the antibiotic ointment he'll most likely prescribe for my eczema. Guess I'll be sleeping with socks on my hands again!
See, I made most of that up*** and it was still really cathartic. And I bet there's a heap of folks who would commiserate on any one of the many implicated ailments. If I were elderly I might not have included links, because I probably couldn't figure out how to do it,**** and let's hope I couldn't figure out how to upload pictures because there is a time and place for visuals and this would not be it, but old people often lose their sense of inhibition and do some pretty crazy - and sometimes nasty - stuff.*****
* It's not habitual for me to have discussions with myself like this.
** No idea what the dosage is, and I don't care.
*** Actually, this just a small sample of some of the medical problems plaguing my family members.
**** I feel really bad about saying that. It's just that my grandma, whom I love dearly, has a lift chair with three buttons that she cannot master. It frustrates her and everyone else, but it is what it is. Not 30 myself, I can tell my brain function is not what it used to be - *possibly* due to computer use, but that would be entirely counterproductive to point out here.
***** I feel bad about saying this, too. But that same grandmother, and her mother before her (both well past the age of 80 at their respective outbursts), has declared, "ah, bit by the trouser worm!" after learning of some relatives' pregnancy or other.
October 1, 2010
Max
I'm just racking up the nephews here, and I'm behind on the sharing. Newest one is Maxwell Douglas, brother to the infamous Laura and Sam, born of my sister's womb on September 16, 2010.
His second cousin, Emily, was born two days earlier over in Wisconsin. I wonder if her cord has fallen off yet. Max's fell off the other day and no one knows where it went. I think the dog ate it.
Max still sleeps a lot but he's hands-down the best eater I've ever known. He literally was born ready. I know because I was there. It was not as messy as I was expecting, and it was just the amount of disturbing I was expecting. Also miraculous and emotional.
Laura totally loves him and wants to hold him and is very concerned with his well-being. She makes his bed. Sammy is unsure, as any four-year-old would be, but is mostly amenable to the baby.
And all I want to do is squeeze and poke his little baby tummy and cheeks. That is all.
His second cousin, Emily, was born two days earlier over in Wisconsin. I wonder if her cord has fallen off yet. Max's fell off the other day and no one knows where it went. I think the dog ate it.
Max still sleeps a lot but he's hands-down the best eater I've ever known. He literally was born ready. I know because I was there. It was not as messy as I was expecting, and it was just the amount of disturbing I was expecting. Also miraculous and emotional.
Laura totally loves him and wants to hold him and is very concerned with his well-being. She makes his bed. Sammy is unsure, as any four-year-old would be, but is mostly amenable to the baby.
And all I want to do is squeeze and poke his little baby tummy and cheeks. That is all.
August 31, 2010
One day Google is going to rule the world. Mark my words.
So I was bored about five minutes ago while my pictures were uploading to the Target website and I decided to experiment with Google searching.
The first result for "crazy crafts" is this dude's blog from India and he's obsessed with origami.
On one hand, I can only imagine some high school delinquent using his wide-ruled paper for everything but notes. On the other hand, it is pretty cool.
Now if you search for "crazy art," the first result is a very obscure section of Houston's Chinatown Connection website titled "Crazy, Mind-boggling Art." I can't even find it via the homepage.
A. of all, I didn't know Houston had a Chinatown.
B. of all, somehow none of the artwork really fits. I mean, isn't that a white-tailed deer? We totally have those in Minnesota, and I'm pretty sure they do not populate China.
C. of three, some of the paintings aren't really all that crazy. Take Bucky* here. An animal form hidden in otherwise incidental scenery is not unheard of. Also not unheard of: melting clocks, dementors who've blown a tire, and gobble-ti-gook that takes the form of a sailboat if you stare at it long enough. Ahh, art.
Finally, a search for "food crafts" yields a top result from Incredible Edible Crafts, which is fantastic.
Gumball flower bouquet. Awesome. This former teacher devotes her site to providing instructions on creating candy/cookie/fruit/veggie bouquets. There's candy making and edible kids' crafts, too. A ton of it seems to be free. I burned myself just this noon making a regular old veggie burger, so I'm not about to start working with stringy, sticky, scalding sugar - but who knows. There was a time when I would've said I'd never make a cake with mohawked babies riding carrots on top.
And now I'm not bored, but I could really go for some candy.
*I realize this is a portrait of a doe, but I don't remember Bambi's mother's name, and after all, a painting of Bambi's mother would probably have a very different, very grusome look. And Doey sounds like I'm speaking of cookies or cake or donuts. I really need some candy.
The first result for "crazy crafts" is this dude's blog from India and he's obsessed with origami.
On one hand, I can only imagine some high school delinquent using his wide-ruled paper for everything but notes. On the other hand, it is pretty cool.
Now if you search for "crazy art," the first result is a very obscure section of Houston's Chinatown Connection website titled "Crazy, Mind-boggling Art." I can't even find it via the homepage.
A. of all, I didn't know Houston had a Chinatown.
B. of all, somehow none of the artwork really fits. I mean, isn't that a white-tailed deer? We totally have those in Minnesota, and I'm pretty sure they do not populate China.
C. of three, some of the paintings aren't really all that crazy. Take Bucky* here. An animal form hidden in otherwise incidental scenery is not unheard of. Also not unheard of: melting clocks, dementors who've blown a tire, and gobble-ti-gook that takes the form of a sailboat if you stare at it long enough. Ahh, art.
Finally, a search for "food crafts" yields a top result from Incredible Edible Crafts, which is fantastic.
Gumball flower bouquet. Awesome. This former teacher devotes her site to providing instructions on creating candy/cookie/fruit/veggie bouquets. There's candy making and edible kids' crafts, too. A ton of it seems to be free. I burned myself just this noon making a regular old veggie burger, so I'm not about to start working with stringy, sticky, scalding sugar - but who knows. There was a time when I would've said I'd never make a cake with mohawked babies riding carrots on top.
And now I'm not bored, but I could really go for some candy.
*I realize this is a portrait of a doe, but I don't remember Bambi's mother's name, and after all, a painting of Bambi's mother would probably have a very different, very grusome look. And Doey sounds like I'm speaking of cookies or cake or donuts. I really need some candy.
August 2, 2010
Objectivity is lost on aunties.
Mothers, fathers, grandpas, grandmas, aunts, and uncles....we think the children in our lives are simply superior to all other beings. The things they say are the funniest, the faces the cutest, the hugs the warmest, and the smiles the brightest. Since today is my birthday I suppose I can indulge myself in imagining that I was once that kid. And then fourth grade happened.*
But I'm sure my niece and nephews will never have the awkward phase, just as I'm sure they truly are the most wonderful beings to exist. Note the "nephewS;" Joseph Finnegan Keelin was born on July 24.
Proof of my multi-tasking abilities: holding Finn while taking our picture left-handed.
He has sideburns. Finn is a cuddly and reasonable baby, except when it comes to being naked, which is pretty much the worse thing ever. Just a few thoughts among the vast expanse of consciousness that LIFE presents.
*Glasses + braces + randomly expanding facial features + ever-lengthening limbs = me = so.painfully.awkward.
But I'm sure my niece and nephews will never have the awkward phase, just as I'm sure they truly are the most wonderful beings to exist. Note the "nephewS;" Joseph Finnegan Keelin was born on July 24.
Proof of my multi-tasking abilities: holding Finn while taking our picture left-handed.
He has sideburns. Finn is a cuddly and reasonable baby, except when it comes to being naked, which is pretty much the worse thing ever. Just a few thoughts among the vast expanse of consciousness that LIFE presents.
*Glasses + braces + randomly expanding facial features + ever-lengthening limbs = me = so.painfully.awkward.
July 3, 2010
Now we are six.
Laura turned six a couple weeks ago, but since we were out of town at that time, she had a party with her friends this week. I'm a fan of stringing out birthdays and other celebrations. It usually means more cake.
She's not my kid but I totally get all the silly things grown-ups say.... she's growing up so fast! I can't believe she's six! I remember when she was just a baby!Indeed. She was baby who did not like to be fiddled with. She loved the sound of running water. She was very, very willful. She ate lemons. She had to be rocked vigorously for about 30 minutes before being put down, and that usually resulted in me being very sweaty.
And now she's six. There's something absolutely heartbreaking about the possibility of forgetting her as a baby, and as a toddler, and as a little girl...but we get old and the business of life and the exhaustion of child-rearing chips away at our brains. And they get older, too, and lose their innocence and become independent and move on to have their own lives. The anxious part of me thinks it's totally reasonable to start preparing for that as soon as possible. I mean, like, as soon as they're born you begin reminding yourself that you don't own them; knowing that you'll spend years tending to them and then they will, in essence, leave you.
But that's the anxious part of me. The same part that nags when people aren't washing their hands and when I worry that I'm doing nothing important with my life. The truth is, I just can't tell the future or control the hygiene of everyone around me at all times. My God, I'll try, but still. I also can't say that my kids (or niece, or nephew, or anyone else) are my legacy, because I don't believe in putting that pressure on them - like I'm a wannabe pop star so I whore my child out to Disney.* Sure, I hope they do fantastic stuff. But if all they do is love their family, they have done something important, and I will have, too.
I hope I remember rocking them to sleep and teaching them to read and the total unapologetic way they run to me, but I might not, so I better just appreciate where they are while they're there, and hope I can revel in the people they become.
Things I love about being six:
we find no reason to believe you shouldn't get presents each time you see grandpa
we want to be helpful, and we are old enough to actually be helpful
we love freely
we dress up
we can handle being away from Mommy overnight
we sometimes use manners without having to be told
we dance
*I know it might be unpopular, and highly hypocritical because I grew up during the heyday that was The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King, but I'm not a big Disney fan for kids. So buying that Sleeping Beauty dress for Laura probably wasn't the pinnacle of my integrity.
May 22, 2010
Wanted: one pair favorite shoes
These are my most favoritest shoes ever and my damned pinkie toes have managed to bust through the seams. Plus they look like crap. They have *technically* been my yard shoes for quite a while, but I still wear them all over the place and it's getting embarrassing. What would Stacy and Clinton say?! I got them at Payless (sorry, Stacy) a couple of years ago and I can't find another pair anywhere - but I NEED them! Please...I beseech you! Pray, find me a new set of these magical slippers! Go! To quote the villain from one of the best movies of all time, "and don't come back without them!"
May 21, 2010
Random, non-craft-related post that is also not about the other non-craft-related things I sometimes post about.
I'm going to start doing this every morning.
May 15, 2010
This is the life.
Watching hubs do some upper-body P90X. There's a lot of grunting and impressiveness. I am lounging on the couch with the dog and the computer, having just eaten some chocolates.
I totally took a walk today. That wasmy exercise the right amount of movement for me. Plus I worked in the yard. Now I think I'm going to go make cupcakes.
* Not my husband. Mine's hotter.
I totally took a walk today. That was
* Not my husband. Mine's hotter.
May 7, 2010
This was a 12-hour work day and I'm worried that I shouldn't eat chocolate before bed but I'm going to do it anyways; and some last-minute thoughts.
First of all, I've just received communication from a company where I recently applied for a job, got all excited because it would be awesome, and had an interview. But I'm not hired. Boo. Of the 170-some applications, only six people were interviewed, and I really appreciate them sharing that information because it does make me feel a little less crappy. Oh well. ONWARD!
Tomorrow is the Spring Market and I think I'm ready. I spent the entire day making final arrangements. Here's how it broke down:
5% of day = bringing wallet downtown to forgetful husband; having lunch with said husband
5% of day = regular life-sustaining tasks like eating dinner, taking bathroom breaks, playing Mafia Wars on Facebook, and blogging
25% of day = updating inventory, packing everything up, other misc. show-related tasks
65% of day = making my table banner
Aaaaand here it is....
Don't let the simple looks fool you; this was a monstrous undertaking by my standards. Not being a sewer, and having not one but two "vintage" sewing machines, I was delighted to get away with only having to sew two long, straight lines - one at the top of each banner - and it went incredibly smoothly (except for when the bobbin ran out and then the other time when the thread broke).
The more tedious part was using the paper cut-out letters from Becky's Cricut to trace backwards letters on the black felt and then cut each one out.
Ironing them onto the flags was made pretty tolerable with episodes of General Hospital.
But even catching up on my stories would not have eased the torture of the MOST tedious part: cutting the flannel flags with a very old and very dull pinking shears. Thanks, grandma.
No, really. Thanks to my grandma, I don't have to buy things like pinking shears and sewing machines.
Now I'm going to eat my chocolate and hope that tomorrow brings lots of customers to offset my perpetual joblessness and that the people I sit next to are entertaining (and if they're not, that they leave me alone) and that Betty White does some sweet sketches on SNL.
Tomorrow is the Spring Market and I think I'm ready. I spent the entire day making final arrangements. Here's how it broke down:
5% of day = bringing wallet downtown to forgetful husband; having lunch with said husband
5% of day = regular life-sustaining tasks like eating dinner, taking bathroom breaks, playing Mafia Wars on Facebook, and blogging
25% of day = updating inventory, packing everything up, other misc. show-related tasks
65% of day = making my table banner
Aaaaand here it is....
Don't let the simple looks fool you; this was a monstrous undertaking by my standards. Not being a sewer, and having not one but two "vintage" sewing machines, I was delighted to get away with only having to sew two long, straight lines - one at the top of each banner - and it went incredibly smoothly (except for when the bobbin ran out and then the other time when the thread broke).
The more tedious part was using the paper cut-out letters from Becky's Cricut to trace backwards letters on the black felt and then cut each one out.
Ironing them onto the flags was made pretty tolerable with episodes of General Hospital.
But even catching up on my stories would not have eased the torture of the MOST tedious part: cutting the flannel flags with a very old and very dull pinking shears. Thanks, grandma.
No, really. Thanks to my grandma, I don't have to buy things like pinking shears and sewing machines.
Now I'm going to eat my chocolate and hope that tomorrow brings lots of customers to offset my perpetual joblessness and that the people I sit next to are entertaining (and if they're not, that they leave me alone) and that Betty White does some sweet sketches on SNL.
April 29, 2010
Reflecting on the chaos of the craft show, family matters (not the show Urkel was in), and the crazy way "chaos" is spelled.
I'm feeling the need for some self-indulgent catharsis. Is that redundant? Whatever.
It's Thursday night and I'm waiting to watch some good TV while hubs gets his fill of cable shows. I'm thinking about crafting and about setting up, and then reworking, and then reworking again, and again, my "practice" table so I know how to display everything when show day gets here. Thinking about the dreamcatchers and mini sweaters I've made in the last couple of weeks and feeling like I still need more. Add those to the jewelry, bookmarks, illustrations, flower pins, and knitted toys and I'm not sure how it's possible that I would need more. So my brain is a little fried between wanting to make more more more and wondering if I'm spreading myself too thin by splitting my time and attention among so many different kinds of projects.
And then there are the fears that my items are not well-executed, or that my prices are wrong, or that my setup looks unprofessional, or that the photos online are not good enough. It's hard to be objective when you spend so many hours and energy-watts on these things. And because I'm an anxious individual by nature, I see all of the superb things that my peers are making and worry that I just don't measure up.
But I'm never going to stop crafting. I think it's the mix of being creative and technical at the same time. It sucks up all my disposable income (and, on occasion, more) and clearly I stress about the details of being in a show - but I'm also really, really excited for the show because I enjoy making stuff and I'm in awe of the stuff other people make. There's something to be said for spending money locally, too. Plus, even though I know you walk a fine line when you gift something handmade, I like making people's presents because I'm going to be making stuff anyways so it's kind of like saving money. While I'm making it, I imagine the recipient enjoying the gift. Whether they toss it out once they've got it I don't know and I just don't think about it!
Also, having been jobless for a while now, crafting gives me something to do to feel productive. It distracts me from the real problems in life...my anxiety (I wasn't kidding before), my aging grandma, finances, oil spills, homelessness, etc. Possibly more than anything else: my sister and her plight of misfortune. It seems like nothing in her life is working out and sometimes I literally feel sick about it. She's my best friend and she's smart and responsible and loving and her life and her happiness is tied to mine. She doesn't have the time to craft these days, so I appreciate that I do.
That's what I'm thinking about while Futurama is on the tele. Also, I need to get groceries, find a job, and clean the house. In that order.
Being an adult is hard. Chaotic, even. And speaking of that, we can apparently thank the Greeks for the spelling of "chaos;" a word I was very proud to master the spelling of back in the fifth grade.
It's Thursday night and I'm waiting to watch some good TV while hubs gets his fill of cable shows. I'm thinking about crafting and about setting up, and then reworking, and then reworking again, and again, my "practice" table so I know how to display everything when show day gets here. Thinking about the dreamcatchers and mini sweaters I've made in the last couple of weeks and feeling like I still need more. Add those to the jewelry, bookmarks, illustrations, flower pins, and knitted toys and I'm not sure how it's possible that I would need more. So my brain is a little fried between wanting to make more more more and wondering if I'm spreading myself too thin by splitting my time and attention among so many different kinds of projects.
And then there are the fears that my items are not well-executed, or that my prices are wrong, or that my setup looks unprofessional, or that the photos online are not good enough. It's hard to be objective when you spend so many hours and energy-watts on these things. And because I'm an anxious individual by nature, I see all of the superb things that my peers are making and worry that I just don't measure up.
But I'm never going to stop crafting. I think it's the mix of being creative and technical at the same time. It sucks up all my disposable income (and, on occasion, more) and clearly I stress about the details of being in a show - but I'm also really, really excited for the show because I enjoy making stuff and I'm in awe of the stuff other people make. There's something to be said for spending money locally, too. Plus, even though I know you walk a fine line when you gift something handmade, I like making people's presents because I'm going to be making stuff anyways so it's kind of like saving money. While I'm making it, I imagine the recipient enjoying the gift. Whether they toss it out once they've got it I don't know and I just don't think about it!
Also, having been jobless for a while now, crafting gives me something to do to feel productive. It distracts me from the real problems in life...my anxiety (I wasn't kidding before), my aging grandma, finances, oil spills, homelessness, etc. Possibly more than anything else: my sister and her plight of misfortune. It seems like nothing in her life is working out and sometimes I literally feel sick about it. She's my best friend and she's smart and responsible and loving and her life and her happiness is tied to mine. She doesn't have the time to craft these days, so I appreciate that I do.
That's what I'm thinking about while Futurama is on the tele. Also, I need to get groceries, find a job, and clean the house. In that order.
Being an adult is hard. Chaotic, even. And speaking of that, we can apparently thank the Greeks for the spelling of "chaos;" a word I was very proud to master the spelling of back in the fifth grade.
March 23, 2010
Super random post about broken needles and prodding the mind. Not in reference to a singular occurance, because that would hurt A LOT.
*cue taps*
This was one of my first sets of needles. But size six is no match for knitting front/back several times in a row. I'm a tight knitter, and this sequence of stitches just makes the yarn tighter and tighter and harder to stretch and then almost impossible to manipulate and then SNAP! For some reason I only had four to begin with, so I guess it's time to make a trip to the store.
So there's some trivial news. Also, I wanted to share this post I read today on Feministing about makeup. I wear it sometimes (ok, rarely - mostly because I'm lazy) and make no judgments on whatever people like to do (except clowns - they're frickin weird); I just find the concept fascinating. I do hate cosmetic advertising, though. Hate it. I swear, in no other industry is it so accepted to market products that promise ideals and results they can't possibly deliver. Whatever. Calm down. Ok, seriously the post is good. It got my brain working.
This was one of my first sets of needles. But size six is no match for knitting front/back several times in a row. I'm a tight knitter, and this sequence of stitches just makes the yarn tighter and tighter and harder to stretch and then almost impossible to manipulate and then SNAP! For some reason I only had four to begin with, so I guess it's time to make a trip to the store.
So there's some trivial news. Also, I wanted to share this post I read today on Feministing about makeup. I wear it sometimes (ok, rarely - mostly because I'm lazy) and make no judgments on whatever people like to do (except clowns - they're frickin weird); I just find the concept fascinating. I do hate cosmetic advertising, though. Hate it. I swear, in no other industry is it so accepted to market products that promise ideals and results they can't possibly deliver. Whatever. Calm down. Ok, seriously the post is good. It got my brain working.
March 5, 2010
Color Career Counselor
I'll be taking career counseling tests until I die. Does that indicate a career path?
At CareerPath.com, your color tastes are analyzed by:
My results:
Best Occupational Category
You're a CREATOR
Keywords: Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional
These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.
CREATOR OCCUPATIONS
Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.
CREATOR WORKPLACES
Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.
Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.
2nd Best Occupational Category
You're a PERSUADER
Keywords: Witty, Competitive, Sociable, Talkative, Ambitious, Argumentative, and Aggressive
These enterprising types sell, persuade, and lead others. Positions of leadership, power, and status are usually their ultimate goal. Persuasive people like to take financial and interpersonal risks and to participate in competitive activities. They enjoy working with others inside organizations to accomplish goals and achieve economic success.
And then the Color Career Indicator 4.0 lists my "most fun careers." I would have to purchase the full report. Some of the ones they do disclose make sense, others confuse me...
Among the logical are Education Administrator, Middleschool Teacher, Office Manager, Administrative Assistant, Social Worker, Academic/Vocational Counselor, and Interior Designer.
Surprising but true are Firefighter, Coach, Truck Driver, Financial Manager, and Carpenter.
And then the you've-got-to-be-kidding-me ones are Customer Service Rep (sounds like a downer), EMT (getting panicky thinking about it), Stock Broker (hello, Wallstreet), and Retail Salesperson (*gagging on memories*).
What I've learned from this is that there are still a million different jobs and any one of them could be great or horrible and someone just needs to tell me what to do (for free). Keep making stuff until people start buying it, you say? Awesome, thanks.
At CareerPath.com, your color tastes are analyzed by:
My results:Best Occupational Category
You're a CREATOR
Keywords: Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional
These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.
CREATOR OCCUPATIONS
Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.
CREATOR WORKPLACES
Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.
Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.
2nd Best Occupational Category
You're a PERSUADER
Keywords: Witty, Competitive, Sociable, Talkative, Ambitious, Argumentative, and Aggressive
These enterprising types sell, persuade, and lead others. Positions of leadership, power, and status are usually their ultimate goal. Persuasive people like to take financial and interpersonal risks and to participate in competitive activities. They enjoy working with others inside organizations to accomplish goals and achieve economic success.
And then the Color Career Indicator 4.0 lists my "most fun careers." I would have to purchase the full report. Some of the ones they do disclose make sense, others confuse me...
Among the logical are Education Administrator, Middleschool Teacher, Office Manager, Administrative Assistant, Social Worker, Academic/Vocational Counselor, and Interior Designer.
Surprising but true are Firefighter, Coach, Truck Driver, Financial Manager, and Carpenter.
And then the you've-got-to-be-kidding-me ones are Customer Service Rep (sounds like a downer), EMT (getting panicky thinking about it), Stock Broker (hello, Wallstreet), and Retail Salesperson (*gagging on memories*).
What I've learned from this is that there are still a million different jobs and any one of them could be great or horrible and someone just needs to tell me what to do (for free). Keep making stuff until people start buying it, you say? Awesome, thanks.
January 21, 2010
I'm not sure how this is supposed to make me feel
Random post not about crafting....more like Doogie Howser style than anything else....
I was offered a job today. I've been looking for a job for 19 months. I can't say exactly how many I've applied to, because that would require me to get out my laptop and open the spreadsheet that lists most of them, and I'm not going to kid myself and think people really even care or that I'm not just too lazy, but I'm going to say it's around 75. Maybe that's not right, but it's a lot. Definitely over 60, but probably not more than 100. The jobs have been in communications, social service, administrative support, retail, and anything else I might (or, frankly, might not) be qualified for or interested in - because I still don't know what I want to do with my life.
So here I am, one job offer in a year and a half, and it's in retail. And in a world where no one is getting a job, why would I not take it?
Then again, I got out of retail because 1) customers sometimes made me sad, and 2) I wanted to get some use out of my education. This hasn't really changed. I've run the gamut of emotions regarding my so-called career and thought about all the possibilities (me? Over-think things??), but now that I have a choice to make - by tomorrow - all the clarity I thought I had is gone. It honestly sounds like I might enjoy the job. But I don't want to work evenings and weekends. I know somebody has to do it. And if it's part time, maybe it won't be a big deal? I bet the customers will totally different. Right?
Fade in Doogie Howser music for the traditional episodic adage....
I guess hindsight is 20/20. Making a commitment isn't about finding the smoothest road, it's about making a choice and giving it your best shot. Maybe it's not about what you do, but how you do it. And if you can find some happiness in whatever hand you're dealt, then you'll be just fine. I'll let you know how it turns out.
I was offered a job today. I've been looking for a job for 19 months. I can't say exactly how many I've applied to, because that would require me to get out my laptop and open the spreadsheet that lists most of them, and I'm not going to kid myself and think people really even care or that I'm not just too lazy, but I'm going to say it's around 75. Maybe that's not right, but it's a lot. Definitely over 60, but probably not more than 100. The jobs have been in communications, social service, administrative support, retail, and anything else I might (or, frankly, might not) be qualified for or interested in - because I still don't know what I want to do with my life.
So here I am, one job offer in a year and a half, and it's in retail. And in a world where no one is getting a job, why would I not take it?
Then again, I got out of retail because 1) customers sometimes made me sad, and 2) I wanted to get some use out of my education. This hasn't really changed. I've run the gamut of emotions regarding my so-called career and thought about all the possibilities (me? Over-think things??), but now that I have a choice to make - by tomorrow - all the clarity I thought I had is gone. It honestly sounds like I might enjoy the job. But I don't want to work evenings and weekends. I know somebody has to do it. And if it's part time, maybe it won't be a big deal? I bet the customers will totally different. Right?
Fade in Doogie Howser music for the traditional episodic adage....
I guess hindsight is 20/20. Making a commitment isn't about finding the smoothest road, it's about making a choice and giving it your best shot. Maybe it's not about what you do, but how you do it. And if you can find some happiness in whatever hand you're dealt, then you'll be just fine. I'll let you know how it turns out.
January 19, 2010
Thoughts
Dr. MLK, Jr. says....
"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." (found quoted from Feministing)
"Everybody can be Great… Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace - A soul generated by love." (found quoted from Freshness Factor Five Thousand)
"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." (found quoted from Feministing)
"Everybody can be Great… Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace - A soul generated by love." (found quoted from Freshness Factor Five Thousand)
June 6, 2009
Baby Hat #2
So here's the hat. I made a blue one a while back, so now I'm prepared for someone to have a baby of either gender. Not that I subscribe to that kind of thing. For all you know, the blue one would be for a girl and the pinks/yellows one would be for a boy. Ha!
Just kidding. I'm open-minded, but I understand that a kid needs to fit into this world. Although, why is it that a girl can pretty easily wear blue or red, but a boy still cannot wear pink? I guess it's just not as cool to do things like a girl (ie: throw). Of course, the whole conversation is moot if a baby is born neither male nor female*. Ok, I'll stop.
Really, this or the blue hat will probably be given to my sister to give to her friend who is due this fall.
*This link does have what some would call graphic photos.
Just kidding. I'm open-minded, but I understand that a kid needs to fit into this world. Although, why is it that a girl can pretty easily wear blue or red, but a boy still cannot wear pink? I guess it's just not as cool to do things like a girl (ie: throw). Of course, the whole conversation is moot if a baby is born neither male nor female*. Ok, I'll stop.
Really, this or the blue hat will probably be given to my sister to give to her friend who is due this fall.
*This link does have what some would call graphic photos.
April 21, 2009
Conflicted!
I'm watching Patti LaBelle on the Tyra show. She is looking for a chef and I LOVE that she notices things like loose ponytails, hand washing habits, and double dipping. I HATE that they pulled a woman out of the audience to taste some stuff and they (Patti, Tyra, and some other woman) couldn't shut up about how skinny she was.
"Are you hungry?" "You need to get something on those bones." "Do you like eating?" They were TOUCHING HER STOMACH and saying how it was jumping every time she took a bite. Then they sent her back into the audience with a huge dish of food. Every imaginable condescending comment was made. What a great example of how judgmental women can be of each other. No big deal? These kinds of interactions are never meant to be complimentary - they are meant to 1) get a few laughs and the expense of someone's appearance, or 2) pit woman against woman, body part against body part, in order to boost someone's confidence by making a spectacle of someone else.
It's not ok to make fun of someone for being "fat," and it's not ok to make fun of someone for being "skinny."
"Are you hungry?" "You need to get something on those bones." "Do you like eating?" They were TOUCHING HER STOMACH and saying how it was jumping every time she took a bite. Then they sent her back into the audience with a huge dish of food. Every imaginable condescending comment was made. What a great example of how judgmental women can be of each other. No big deal? These kinds of interactions are never meant to be complimentary - they are meant to 1) get a few laughs and the expense of someone's appearance, or 2) pit woman against woman, body part against body part, in order to boost someone's confidence by making a spectacle of someone else.
It's not ok to make fun of someone for being "fat," and it's not ok to make fun of someone for being "skinny."
April 8, 2009
Random thoughts
It turns out that knitting a dog collar is a bit more difficult than I had anticipated. But I will prevail; after I take a long, long break from thinking about how to put a closure, cables, and letters in it - all while building in a sleeve for the real collar and/or a slot for the leash to connect through.
In the mean time, I'll be working on the FREE GIFT that was won by AnnaBelle in my giveaway drawing. It's a surprise everyone will have to wait to see...
AND I'll be working on a bolero for myself. I so hope it works out, because I can always use more layering clothes. Even in the summer - especially in the grocery store or movie theaters.
Speaking of dog collars... my friend Jenny is involved in rescue operations for animals who are on track to being euthanized :( mostly because they were lost, left, or mistreated. She usually works with Australian Cattle Dogs and there's a super cute one currently in need of home who I would totally take if I didn't already have a dog who would not do well with the addition. Anyways, Jenny is walking in the MN Valley Humane Society's Woofer and Hoofer fundraising event on May 2nd. I'd like to walk if anyone wants to walk with me.
Here he is. He's from IL and Jenny just got MVHS to take him. Woo hoo! We don't know what will happen to him from there, though.
In the mean time, I'll be working on the FREE GIFT that was won by AnnaBelle in my giveaway drawing. It's a surprise everyone will have to wait to see...
AND I'll be working on a bolero for myself. I so hope it works out, because I can always use more layering clothes. Even in the summer - especially in the grocery store or movie theaters.
Speaking of dog collars... my friend Jenny is involved in rescue operations for animals who are on track to being euthanized :( mostly because they were lost, left, or mistreated. She usually works with Australian Cattle Dogs and there's a super cute one currently in need of home who I would totally take if I didn't already have a dog who would not do well with the addition. Anyways, Jenny is walking in the MN Valley Humane Society's Woofer and Hoofer fundraising event on May 2nd. I'd like to walk if anyone wants to walk with me.
Here he is. He's from IL and Jenny just got MVHS to take him. Woo hoo! We don't know what will happen to him from there, though.
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