My co-workers and I would joke that anyone who came into an interview at a library who answered the question: "Why do you want to work here?" with "I like books." automatically fails the interview.
The thing is, if we didn't like books, we wouldn't be there. ;)
I am happy to have my summer off not only to catch up on knitting, but also reading. I never get time to sit down and just read a book during the school year (between work and my own school), unless they are super quick YA books. So I just sat down and read Stephen King's latest book Mr. Mercedes.
I'm a huge Stephen King fan, and the first novels I ever read were his. My dad had a rule that as long as whatever I chose to read was something I would read in front of him, I'd be allowed to read it. It was the same rule his aunt gave him, and the same rule I give my kids; if you are embarrassed to be reading it, it's probably not appropriate.
Anyway, King's latest book was an interesting departure from his usual. But still a great read, and still written in his style. I read it in about 2 days, and enjoyed it. I'm trying to think of what else to read.
So I stumbled on this club called Book Riot. If anyone has ever done it, I'd love to hear feedback. It's $50 a quarter, you can quit any time, and you get a box of books and other "literary goodies" (along the lines of a yarn club, where you get the yarn and other yarnie goodness). I think it's a cool idea, and I love the "no commitment" angle--whether because it wasn't my cup of tea or because I wouldn't have time to read during the school year
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Jammin' on a hot summer night
So Nick, Emily and I went berry picking on Thursday. We picked flat of strawberries at Cuff Farms, took them home and did nothing with them.
Friday we picked up Anna from camp. 6 hours of total driving. And, we did nothing with the strawberries. Except I thought I was pretty ingenious and fit the entire flat into the fridge. I had to move a bunch of stuff, put it the long way and take out a shelf on the door.
Fast travel to Saturday. Nicholas stayed at a friend's house, and comes bopping in about 1pm. "Oh they gave me a pint of strawberries, so I'm trading them a jam from the freezer".
Have I told you how possessive I am about this jam? How I covet it? I don't even give any to family members. My mother in law just LOVES it, and told me when I go strawberry picking I should bring her some because I know how she loves it.
Did I tell you that I told her she should go berry-picking when she's in Virginia this week with evil Sister-in-law and have HER make some jam?
So I literally saw strawberry red when my son handed out my jam. Because I don't need a strawberry to jam trade. I have strawberries. That are just sitting in my fridge waiting for me to do something with them.
*sigh*
We made freezer jam last year, before I got a water bath canner. So I decided I wanted to do "real" canning and can jam this year in my water canner.
Did I tell you we probably just had today to do it so the berries were still good?
Oh and I'm sure I failed to mention that it's 86 degrees with 90% humidity. And our air conditioner went out the beginning of the week (we think it's the thermostat, but the guy isn't coming to look at it until next week)?
Yeah, I probably forgot to tell you all that.
Anyway, I canned. And roasted. The good news is I probably sweat about 10 lbs off. It was like a sauna. And I have 18 little jars of my labor of love.
And no. You can't have any.
Friday we picked up Anna from camp. 6 hours of total driving. And, we did nothing with the strawberries. Except I thought I was pretty ingenious and fit the entire flat into the fridge. I had to move a bunch of stuff, put it the long way and take out a shelf on the door.
Fast travel to Saturday. Nicholas stayed at a friend's house, and comes bopping in about 1pm. "Oh they gave me a pint of strawberries, so I'm trading them a jam from the freezer".
Have I told you how possessive I am about this jam? How I covet it? I don't even give any to family members. My mother in law just LOVES it, and told me when I go strawberry picking I should bring her some because I know how she loves it.
Did I tell you that I told her she should go berry-picking when she's in Virginia this week with evil Sister-in-law and have HER make some jam?
So I literally saw strawberry red when my son handed out my jam. Because I don't need a strawberry to jam trade. I have strawberries. That are just sitting in my fridge waiting for me to do something with them.
*sigh*
We made freezer jam last year, before I got a water bath canner. So I decided I wanted to do "real" canning and can jam this year in my water canner.
Did I tell you we probably just had today to do it so the berries were still good?
Oh and I'm sure I failed to mention that it's 86 degrees with 90% humidity. And our air conditioner went out the beginning of the week (we think it's the thermostat, but the guy isn't coming to look at it until next week)?
Yeah, I probably forgot to tell you all that.
Anyway, I canned. And roasted. The good news is I probably sweat about 10 lbs off. It was like a sauna. And I have 18 little jars of my labor of love.
And no. You can't have any.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Summertime fun
So to sum up summer so far: We're pretty poor, we've been spending lots of time in the backyard pool, I've been playing a lot of Fallout: New Vegas (and Viva Pinata--don't ask). I'm currently reading Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King. We're going to go strawberry picking (and do some jam making) this afternoon. Anna is at camp until tomorrow; we haven't heard from her so we are hoping for the best. Saturday is Star Wars night at the Timber Rattlers game (woohoo!). It's all good!
And I have been knitting, which is awesome (I actually have time!!). I just finished this illusion scarf as a test knit. I can't wait until the pattern is published to share it with you. If you watch Dr. Who, and know the Weeping Angels story:
Now I need to learn to spin! I'll be joining the local spinning guild to not only get assistance, but to watch and learn from experts. My biggest problem is I can't get the yarn to wind onto the bobbin--I think my springs need replacing. So I try, try again! And watch a lot of YouTube videos.
Stay tuned: I've also been accepted for Blogging for Books. My first book is a Nicky Epstein knitting book to review. :)
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
New Year 2014
Well, I'm pretty proud I had my 2014 finished object done January 1. Of course, I started it BEFORE 2014, but it's still done IN 2014. I made Emily Moonkoosa slippers. They felted a little small:
I also finished Brian's Dr. Who scarf just in time for Christmas:
AND I finished this Meow Hat that I decided to test knit on the spur of the moment. School starts up again soon, and I won't have as much time to knit. So I am frantically knitting these next few weeks:
That's all I got! No resolutions (I didn't get my laundry room done from last year), but I did get a juicer for my birthday, so I am trying to add more fruits and veggies in my diet that way. Maybe I will do a juice fast, but I don't know if I have it in me. I'd LOVE to be skinny. ;)
 | |
| Before Felting |
I also finished Brian's Dr. Who scarf just in time for Christmas:
AND I finished this Meow Hat that I decided to test knit on the spur of the moment. School starts up again soon, and I won't have as much time to knit. So I am frantically knitting these next few weeks:
That's all I got! No resolutions (I didn't get my laundry room done from last year), but I did get a juicer for my birthday, so I am trying to add more fruits and veggies in my diet that way. Maybe I will do a juice fast, but I don't know if I have it in me. I'd LOVE to be skinny. ;)
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Been a while....(Do you hear Staind?)
I'm alive! I started out with 3 grad school classes and dropped to 1. It's so much easier with one, especially when it's interesting and I like the professor. It's painful to learn about the "foundations of information" when I've worked in libraries long enough to know I won't use it in my day to day life. I have a test to take this weekend, but so far I have an A in the class. I also know I can't continue taking them one at a time--so here's to more classes (and probably less knitting) next semester. ;)
I've been knitting too! I made a hat for my friend Melissa's daughter (OK, total disclosure--I used to babysit MELISSA! It's a little scary she has a baby herself. I am old.)
I also am working on a sock in this pretty yarn. The pattern is Roundabout, and I am nearly finished with the gusset decrease now (this was taken yesterday).
I also signed up for a Mystery Knitalong with a very talented designer, Jessica L'Heureux. She's jesseknits on Ravelry. You can sign up in her Rav group here. I'm really looking forward to it--Jesse designs the most beautiful patterns!
Halloween was fun and the yard is full of leaves now. We have a huge maple tree in our backyard that waits until the last possible minute and drops EVERYTHING! So my grass is covered in pretty yellow leaves. I know the ground will soon be white, so I will take the leaves every time.
Here's some Halloween pics:
And the last rose of the season:
It's cloudy and dreary and cold, so I think I'll go work on my sock. And maybe have some tea (Oops! How did that whiskey get in there?)
Happy Saturday!
I've been knitting too! I made a hat for my friend Melissa's daughter (OK, total disclosure--I used to babysit MELISSA! It's a little scary she has a baby herself. I am old.)
I also am working on a sock in this pretty yarn. The pattern is Roundabout, and I am nearly finished with the gusset decrease now (this was taken yesterday).
Halloween was fun and the yard is full of leaves now. We have a huge maple tree in our backyard that waits until the last possible minute and drops EVERYTHING! So my grass is covered in pretty yellow leaves. I know the ground will soon be white, so I will take the leaves every time.
Here's some Halloween pics:
And the last rose of the season:
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Storms and Test Knits
This was going to be strictly a knitting update, but first I need to say I am thankful I have power again after 5 tornadoes came through the area--and those of us who didn't "technically" have a tornado were blessed with 98 mph winds. We lost power for 3 days, which sucked, but it could have been way worse.
I saw some amazing good, and it kind of restores faith in humanity (of which mine has been severely waning lately). All our neighbors met outside at 7am and helped clear tree branches from each others yards. That night when we were driving up Forest Street, one side of the street had power and the other side didn't...and the road was a sea of orange extension cords from the powered side to the not, powering refrigerators on the other side of the street.
The most touching thing was going into our favorite bakery this afternoon. I picked up the kids after work, and we thought maybe the power was on at home, but the kids wanted to go get their "Thursday cookie" first (which, after 3 weeks, is now a new tradition.) We went to the bakery, which still had no power, but had breads and cookies brought in from their Little Chute store. Mary was working behind the counter. She was so excited last week when we told her all about how we were supposed to go to the State Fair tomorrow...and this week the kids told her our plans had been cancelled. We need to use the money to replace food in the fridge that we lost, so we are going to Bay Beach instead (considerably cheaper). Mary was more upset than we were, "But you were so excited about going!!" I told her it was fine, and she said, no, it wasn't. She pulled out a card and wrote on the back, and said, "When we have power, call ahead to make sure we have them ready for you. It's a little bit of State Fair here." The card was for cream puffs. She gave us our cookies, then handed us a little picnic cake, "Close your eyes and pretend you're at State Fair". Made me cry.
So there's good people in the world. Some days they're harder to find than others, but they're always there.
And now for a knitting update--with no computer time, I had some time to knit, but not as much as you'd think. I discovered a group on Ravelry called "Free Pattern Testers". Designers put their patterns up and ask for test knitters. They give you a deadline. This is the interesting part--knitting something takes me For-Ev-Errrr....but not when I have a deadline to be fearful of. The first thing I knit was a shawl. The pattern was very beautiful and it had beads! Unfortunately I f-d up a large portion (not pattern writer error--definitely user error!) but it was beautiful none the less, and Anna claimed it for herself:
Next it was a quick little hat called Honoring Angels. Emily picked the yarn from IRIS, and I was done in a few hours:
Now, I'm starting another shawl. It's done in worsted weight. I had some Wool of the Andes in Chestnut in my stash. I have about 2 skeins started into a really pretty shawl...that I don't remember what the name of it is, and I have no idea where I am on the pattern. So I am going to use that yarn for my test knitting shawl, and unravel the "mystery" shawl if I need the other 2 skeins (which I probably will).
I saw some amazing good, and it kind of restores faith in humanity (of which mine has been severely waning lately). All our neighbors met outside at 7am and helped clear tree branches from each others yards. That night when we were driving up Forest Street, one side of the street had power and the other side didn't...and the road was a sea of orange extension cords from the powered side to the not, powering refrigerators on the other side of the street.
The most touching thing was going into our favorite bakery this afternoon. I picked up the kids after work, and we thought maybe the power was on at home, but the kids wanted to go get their "Thursday cookie" first (which, after 3 weeks, is now a new tradition.) We went to the bakery, which still had no power, but had breads and cookies brought in from their Little Chute store. Mary was working behind the counter. She was so excited last week when we told her all about how we were supposed to go to the State Fair tomorrow...and this week the kids told her our plans had been cancelled. We need to use the money to replace food in the fridge that we lost, so we are going to Bay Beach instead (considerably cheaper). Mary was more upset than we were, "But you were so excited about going!!" I told her it was fine, and she said, no, it wasn't. She pulled out a card and wrote on the back, and said, "When we have power, call ahead to make sure we have them ready for you. It's a little bit of State Fair here." The card was for cream puffs. She gave us our cookies, then handed us a little picnic cake, "Close your eyes and pretend you're at State Fair". Made me cry.
So there's good people in the world. Some days they're harder to find than others, but they're always there.
And now for a knitting update--with no computer time, I had some time to knit, but not as much as you'd think. I discovered a group on Ravelry called "Free Pattern Testers". Designers put their patterns up and ask for test knitters. They give you a deadline. This is the interesting part--knitting something takes me For-Ev-Errrr....but not when I have a deadline to be fearful of. The first thing I knit was a shawl. The pattern was very beautiful and it had beads! Unfortunately I f-d up a large portion (not pattern writer error--definitely user error!) but it was beautiful none the less, and Anna claimed it for herself:
Monday, May 13, 2013
Frustration
First of all, I had a lovely Mother's Day, and I hope other mom's did too.
*rant on*
And now...I am so frustrated with my own mother. She decides on whims whether or not she is talking to me. She gets mad at me for perceived things she thinks I do. My life is a constant battle of "You have to..." or "You better..."'s.
The latest: She got mad at me (I think) because I didn't go to my cousin's Lia Sophia party (thereby making her "look bad"). I was fortunate enough to get a scholarship to go to a library conference, which fell over the same time as the party. I ordered online for the party, and went to my library conference.
My mother didn't speak to me for 2 weeks. She then calls and pointedly talks to my children--and when the kids ask if she wants to talk to me, they get "No. Bye." Childish? You bet.
So my uncle in New Jersey has cancer, and they decide to go. My mom leaves me a voicemail that they are leaving and will be about a week. Says nothing else, then comes walking into my house, drops a bag of potatoes on my kitchen floor (My kids are all sitting there mind you...) says nothing to my children, says to me, "Eat these or they'll go bad", then peals out of the driveway and speeds down my street.
So--onto Mother's Day. I have heard NOTHING from them. No "We're here" or "We're home". I tried calling my mom's cell phone yesterday and got no answer. So I am quite sure the WRATH OF MY FATHER will be down on my shortly, about how I neglected my mother and I am disrespectful and evil incarnate, etc etc etc. Screaming and yelling will ensue, in an attempt to get me to cry. This is what my parents do. They "bait me" into a fight.
I'm done.
I just can't do this anymore. I am quite sure my mother is suffering from something. She's not the same person she used to be. My dad blames menopause. For the past 20 years. He says things like, "I'd leave her, but where would I go?" So he knows there are problems too. But when it's her against me, it's not a contest who's side he chooses. What I'm confused about is why there is any side to begin with.
My mom needs to understand she just can't come waltzing in and out on a whim. Either be a decent human being or stay away. You don't have to like me, but you have 3 grandchildren that I would love to let you see, but that I don't want used as pawns in your stupid whatever this is.
My childhood was horrific. I just need to take away the power so that I don't have to feel this miserable at 40 anymore. I'm tired of being the one to say I'm sorry for stuff when I don't know what I did. I'm tired of being the one to face the wrath, and who gets blamed for everything. I'm tired of trying. I just feel like I don't care anymore. I just can't take anymore.
*rant off*
*rant on*
And now...I am so frustrated with my own mother. She decides on whims whether or not she is talking to me. She gets mad at me for perceived things she thinks I do. My life is a constant battle of "You have to..." or "You better..."'s.
The latest: She got mad at me (I think) because I didn't go to my cousin's Lia Sophia party (thereby making her "look bad"). I was fortunate enough to get a scholarship to go to a library conference, which fell over the same time as the party. I ordered online for the party, and went to my library conference.
My mother didn't speak to me for 2 weeks. She then calls and pointedly talks to my children--and when the kids ask if she wants to talk to me, they get "No. Bye." Childish? You bet.
So my uncle in New Jersey has cancer, and they decide to go. My mom leaves me a voicemail that they are leaving and will be about a week. Says nothing else, then comes walking into my house, drops a bag of potatoes on my kitchen floor (My kids are all sitting there mind you...) says nothing to my children, says to me, "Eat these or they'll go bad", then peals out of the driveway and speeds down my street.
So--onto Mother's Day. I have heard NOTHING from them. No "We're here" or "We're home". I tried calling my mom's cell phone yesterday and got no answer. So I am quite sure the WRATH OF MY FATHER will be down on my shortly, about how I neglected my mother and I am disrespectful and evil incarnate, etc etc etc. Screaming and yelling will ensue, in an attempt to get me to cry. This is what my parents do. They "bait me" into a fight.
I'm done.
I just can't do this anymore. I am quite sure my mother is suffering from something. She's not the same person she used to be. My dad blames menopause. For the past 20 years. He says things like, "I'd leave her, but where would I go?" So he knows there are problems too. But when it's her against me, it's not a contest who's side he chooses. What I'm confused about is why there is any side to begin with.
My mom needs to understand she just can't come waltzing in and out on a whim. Either be a decent human being or stay away. You don't have to like me, but you have 3 grandchildren that I would love to let you see, but that I don't want used as pawns in your stupid whatever this is.
My childhood was horrific. I just need to take away the power so that I don't have to feel this miserable at 40 anymore. I'm tired of being the one to say I'm sorry for stuff when I don't know what I did. I'm tired of being the one to face the wrath, and who gets blamed for everything. I'm tired of trying. I just feel like I don't care anymore. I just can't take anymore.
*rant off*
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