Spitting Nails (bitch session)

So my employer is running a new service for the holidays and it's big, really big. Myself and my service team went to a company training session yesterday to learn our new job. Everytime a new responsibility or essentail need was brought up I could see all the problems this was going to create for me with the rest of the management team back at work. Enough so that it was apparently showing on my face and got called upon to tell them what was going through my head. They reassured me that these things wouldn't be an issue because this is the direction that the company is going and that it must be supported.

So today I went to work and answered a few of the questions they had without telling them a lot because I didn't want to create issues before the unit manager is on board. Well it went exactly like I thought it would and I am so sick of hearing "Well that's just not possible.", "That's not realistic.", "We're not going to be able to do that here.", "You have to remember......" and much much more.

The day went exactly as I thought it would. The support for this program is just not there and I'm afraid it won't be no matter what is said by those at head office.

First Snow

That's right it's snowing. Great big white flakes. The news this morning called for thunder storms for our area with the possibility of flurries and yet the next town over was predicted snow. I'm glad I made the kids wear thier winter coats.

It's funny the leaves haven't even fallen off all the trees yet.

Dead, dead, I'm dead

I recieved these beautiful geranium red socks of doom in the mail today. I'm dead. I've been wearing them since I got them, even to work. And oh my they are loverly.

They actually helped keep me a little grounded today, it was a crappy day at work today and all I had to do was wiggle my toes to remind me that there are better things in the world and that this was just one day.

Thank you Miss Fee

Socktoberfest Questions

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?

Back in January of this year I developed a case of vertigo. It lasted for 3 months. Laying down was bad, standing up was bad (let alone moving), the computer screen made me dizzy, moving my head to much same thing. So I was stuck on my ass for quite a while. I had to do something and I had got a new knitting book for Christmas. So I taught myself to read a pattern and knitting became my new favorite hobby. Socks were always something I wanted to do because I love wearing knitted socks.

What was your first pair?

I didn't adventure into socks until my boss handed me a description of sockwars. It was just so up my alley that I had to sign up. My first completed pair of socks were for a complete stranger and she loves them.

How have they "held up" over time?

Don't know we'll have to see.

What would you have done differently?

Nothing on that pair but I did do a different pattern for myself starting toe up and realised that cuff down is much easier because casting off toe up has to be done very loosely (took me four tries) to get them around your heel. The pair I made still have barely enough give to get them on easily.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?

My favorite so far for socks was the Australian DK 100% marino that I made nuttnbunny's socks out of. I am currently making a pair of wristlets for myself out of the left over yarn (not quite enough for socks).

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?

I like to knit them cuff down using the Magic Loop method two or more at a time. I currently have two pairs of kids socks on the needle right now. My kids felt left out that I had knitted socks & my Target had some but not them. My youngest daughter picked out a self striping yarn from Regia herself.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)

I'm not sure yet - as long as it looks good I don't care.

However I am thinking that I need to have a re-enforced toe for my youngest. All her socks get holes in the toe and I've never been one for darning. My grandmother did teach me how to darn though, she always fixed everyone's socks. She didn't knit but boy could she mend anything you gave her. I guess that's what happens when you raise 8 kids.

How many pairs have you made?

I have completed 2 pairs. I have 2 more on the needles and yarn for 3 more. What can I say I'm hooked.

Socktoberfest

Yes you read it right.

Socktoberfest Qusetions:

• When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
• What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
• What would you have done differently?
• What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
• Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
• Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
• How many pairs have you made?

I'll answer these later when it's quiet again & my brain is not being overloaded by noisy kids.

LYS - found 2!

So I finally adventured into St. Marys today to see if they had a yarn shop. Well they have 2 places to get yarn & knitting supplies. They also have a sewing shop, a candle making supply shop, a scrapbooking shop and goodness knows what else.

So I now know of 3 half decent places to get yarn within a 30min drive. The one in Waterloo is so far my favorite though, they have the best selection.

My little trip out today also reminded me of just how much I miss going out on my own & going to little shops like that. Working at a mall really turns you off of not only shopping but going out in public period. Franchises be they restaurant or retail have really sucked all the culture out of our surroundings. It all gets boring when everything starts to look, smell, sound and feel the same no matter where you go. It drains you. It turns you into a cog in the system. Fitting everything into a mold.

I hate the mall.

No Sun = No Energy

I know you're saying well duh. But for me this really worries me. I take a stimulant to stay awake during the day and under normal light conditions I get a burst of energy when my meds kick in. When I'm home on a gloomy day I get antsy but still don't have energy.

One of the biggest problems that all these dingy days are creating is that the house looks like shit.

Right now for instance I'm home alone - perfect time to get things done because no is here to object or get in the way. However I don't even know if I could lift my ass out of the chair let alone clean.

I'm wondering if more lighting in the house (and the right kind) would help. I don't have this issue at work because it's always brightly lit in there.

Maybe I'll go research this. Here I come google.

Night 3 without the kids.

Night one was spent adventuring on my drive to KW.

Night two was spent out to dinner with dh and a live blues band playing at the bar followed by a movie at home.

Night three dinner at home and another movie. Dinner at home was however my favorite one yet. Puff pastry appetizers, oven hot baked bread, lamb chops, stuffing, baked potatoes, fresh green beans, and lava cakes for dessert. My man can spoil me when he wants to.

Well now I'm going to go back to my knitting.

Wristlets

So pardon the crappy scan job (man we need a digital camera) but here's the finished wristlet.

This was my first attempt at cable knitting and it ends up it's really easy. Now I have to make the other one and a pair for myself. I wore the one (just in the truck where no one could see that I was lopsided) and they're pretty warm.

I think I'll leave the girly bow off mine and just add an inch or two of ribbing at the top instead. We'll see how it works out.


Pattern: Knit It! magazine Fall/Winter 2006 pg. 75

My little adventure

So this evening I did something that I would never have done before. I left my folks place headed to KW for supper without a clue as to how to get there. That's right I just drove and headed in the general direction of the tri-city area. And you know what it was actually a lot of fun.

I kept to paved roads and just headed north-east. I even beat Mapquests suggested time by 15min. See I looked up a way to go but decided it was to many turns on concessions that I didn't recognize.

So that was my adventure and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Waiting

I seem to be waiting for a lot of things right now.

Waiting for my socks to reach my target, waiting for my socks to come to me from my assassin.

Waiting for a new employee for my old dept.

Waiting for a schedule of the new manager for my old dept.

Waiting to move to my new dept.

Waiting for this cold to leave my house. Right now I'm the one with the fever & aches.

Waiting for the weekend cause the kids are going to the cottage with Nana & Papa. Ah the freedom and most of all the silence.

I think I'm going to go convince my arms that movement is a good thing and start my daughters wristlets.