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Proof of knitting

May 9, 2012 in May 2012 | 2 comments

Smokehouse Cabled Vest (details on Ravelry)

Irish Hiking Scarf (again, details on Ravelry)

See, I’ve finished stuff!  I’ve been knitting.

And working.  The new job – even more amazing than I knew it would be.  I love it.  My hours are normal, save for a couple of long days last week – the rare exception rather than the rule.  I’ve “adjusted” to not being on call very quickly (in other words, I sleep more soundly knowing I don’t need to worry about the phone ringing and am not so compelled to grab my phone to check emails from staff at weird hours).  I’m doing very cool stuff and work with really cool people.  Its exhausting – lots to learn so I come home with that “my brain is full” feeling every night and collapse on the couch.  That’s a good thing though.  Much better than being exhausted from work stress like before.  I’m settling into a routine, getting into some meatier work and getting back to a new normal schedule.  All good.  Great, in fact.

Then there are the other things – the board meetings and events and family stuff and friends and teaching at Michael’s on occasion and then taking on even more (an appointment to the Community Development Commission in New Britain – sweet!).

In between, I knit.  I even finish stuff.  And it seems, on occasion these days, I even pop up here with a random post about it.

Then, I dig through the stash and start even more.  What’s one more little thing to work on?

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Sanctuary

March 26, 2012 in March 2012 | 3 comments

We all need one, right?  I spent Saturday transforming my front porch.  I started with this:

before - storage for my dye studio and dumping ground for "stuff"

who-knows-how-many trips to the garbage can, my attic storage and the basement and re-organizing stuff I need at hand neatly into my spare bedroom, then a trip to Pier 1 and I have this:

a perfect little sanctuary to relax, knit, spin, read or as I did on Saturday – drink a glass of wine with my feet up and take a nice nap.  it overlooks my busy street, so its not so quiet during the day and evening – I hear a slice of what ever’s going on in my little corner of hard hittin’ New Britain (not that I mind – I rather enjoy it).  in the morning though, my neighborhood is beautifully quiet and peaceful.  I’m looking forward to bringing coffee and newspaper out there on summer mornings or watching the sun come up while I spin.

two years after I moved here (where did that go?) and I finally have my spot.  I have a feeling I’ll be spending a lot of time out there this year.

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New Beginnings

March 20, 2012 in March 2012 | 3 comments

Happy Spring!

I love this time of year – the way everything is turning green again, the days are longer, the spring flowers are beginning to peep through the ground.  The world is waking up again, everything feels new and fresh and you can feel the anticipation of what’s to come.

Its perfect timing for my own new beginning.  I have big news and I’m thrilled to be able to share it – I’ve accepted a new job!  I’m going to Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness to be Manager of Training and Technical Assistance.  It is a dream come true job. I get to do all of the things I love, like providing training to other providers and do advocacy and systems change work state wide.  Its an opportunity to work on the big picture issues in the area that I’m passionate about – homelessness.  I am over the moon happy about this!

Gone will be the things that I don’t care for so much about my current job – the on call and supervisory stuff.  For the first time in 11 years, I won’t be tied to a pager/cell.  That is a huge relief, especially considering that it was about to get much worse with the opening of my shelter program.  Then there’s the part that makes such a difference on a practical level – the pay and benefits are substantially better, which means that I am breathing a significant sigh of relief.  I’m daydreaming about finally replacing the non-mom mobile – that day is still several months off (knock on wood), as I’d like to squeak some more life out of all the repairs I put into her a few months ago and figure out what I want car-wise (right now, leaning towards a Subaru Forester – gently used, of course – still being super practical about my car ;-) ).

And there is the hard part – leaving my beloved job.  I’ve been so, so happy here for 4 years.  I felt like I came home when I came to WFC.  Yes, there are stressors and things (and the occasional person) that I don’t like – every job has those.  Overall, I love my job and have had a wonderful experience there.  Excited as I am about my new job, it was horrible to give my notice yesterday.  By the time you read this, I’ll have gotten through the hard part of telling my staff and colleagues.  I work with great people and will truly miss them.  I get to do the work I love every day and have had the opportunity to do really great things.  I have another 4 weeks there, in which I need to focus on getting my shelter open and wrapping up lots of loose ends – I’m sure there’s still more good things to come in these last few weeks.

I’m very much looking forward to April 23, when I start my new job.  My hope is that this new role, which comes with a big shift in responsibility and a lot of hard work, will bring more balance to my life.  I’m so looking forward to all of the things it will mean professionally and personally.

I feel like the start of spring has some extra meaning for me this year – such an exciting time in my life!

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Currents

March 9, 2012 in March 2012 | No comments

Stealing this idea from Carole – a little update on what’s going on in my little corner of the world these days.

On the needles - The Smokehouse Cabled Vest and the Batkus.  Both are nearly done (ish).  Its unusual for me to have just 2 projects on the needles but its working for me.  Lots going on and limited time so its nice to have just a couple of things to pick up when I want to knit.

Waiting in the wings - A skein of Silkie Socks That Rock to do Cookie A’s Wedge socks.  I wound it a while back with the intention of casting on right away but haven’t yet.  When I finish one of those, I’ll get to it.

On the Nook - The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond.  I found the PW blogs a while back and love them – Ree is witty, creative and delightful.  I love her glimpses into the reality of country life, her recipes and her gorgeous photography.  Her book is the story her falling in love with her husband and her first year on their ranch.  Its wonderful.  Can’t put it down.

On the spindle (one of them at least) – still spinning the silk on one of my Bosworths.  Making my way slowly through the first ounce.

On the wheel - a lovely cormo/tussah/alpaca blend from Foxhill Farm.  Same stuff I’ve been spinning since the summer.  Almost finishe with the singles.

In the DVD player – Season 7 of Weeds.  Oh, how I love this show.  The last couple of seasons were almost too violent for my taste and I’d missed the ironic humor of the first couple of seasons.  Five episodes in – its neither as violent nor as funny as it was but still just so fun.  A welcome diversion.

On my calendar – Knitting classes!  I’ve just started teaching knitting classes at Michael’s in New Britain.  I taught my first class last week and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Michael’s will be posting my schedule soon, if they haven’t already.  As soon as I get my act together a bit more (hopefully this weekend), I’ll post them on this site too.  I’m thrilled to have this opportunity – I’ve been looking to pick up a little something in the way of part time work and this is a fun way to go.

On my plate – Oh, so much at work.  This is our busiest time of year.  Added to the usual spring round of grant writing, events and goings on, my shelter program has just been licensed.  I’m in the process of opening our first shelter home while going on what feels like a speaking tour to recruit more shelter parents and promote the program.  Its an exciting time.  Stressful but exciting.

On my mind – and again, oh so much.  The onslaught of attacks on women’s rights – what is going on in this country?  I feel like I’ve stepped back into 1950 and I’m not sure how or why and I certainly don’t want to be here.  I knew this election year would be contentious but this, I have to say, I never saw coming.  Along with politics and women’s rights and the WTF moments, there’s the usual mix of how to balance work and having a life, family stuff and trying to fit in some time with my favorite ladies.  There’s also plans for spring and beyond and hope for some good things to come.

A little slice of life here.  With that, I’m returning to what’s on my mind/plate/calendar and laptop – a grant I’m hoping to whip out before I go into work this morning.  Onward!

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I am imperfect.

March 8, 2012 in March 2012 | 1 comment

I am imperfect.

I let little things get to me.

I love the word fuck and let it fly too easily and too often.

I have put more dents in my car than I care to think about.

I ignore the dishes, the laundry and the clutter on the dining room table.

I let my roots show and my short hair get shaggy before I pick up the hair color or drag myself to the salon.

I don’t remember the last time I waxed my eye brows or bikini line or even cared enough to consider it.

I let my cell phone go to voice mail to avoid talking to people when I’m not in the mood.

I eat dessert right after I’ve complained that my pants are too tight.

I avoid exercise in every possible way but tell myself, my doctor and my friends that I’m trying to do it regularly.

I rant about politics and injustice and all that’s wrong with the world, whether or not you care to listen.

I take on too much and don’t say no often enough.

I am perfectly imperfect.

I am happy and beautiful and kind and worthy.

I am me – and I am amazing.

To all of the women reading this, Happy International Women’s Day.  Celebrate being you today, in all of your perfect, glorious, beautiful imperfection.

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Snow(less) in Vermont

February 29, 2012 in February 2012 | 1 comment

What a weird winter we are having.  Its been mild and dry – and snowless.  You might remember that last year, with its 80 inches of snow, I was in my snow-loving glory.  This year, we have the complete opposite – nuthin’.  Our biggest storm this year was the nasty October storm that took out power for so long, to so many.  Since then, just one other tiny storm brought a few inches but it was so warm that it melted quickly :(

Vermont has been equally snow-less.  Coupled with my mother having her hip replaced last month, the family didn’t even talk about going up to my parents’ place for a long weekend together like we usually do.  A quick family gathering changed that – mom was doing great and ready for a weekend away and the stars had aligned so that my brother, his gf and the 2 kids and me were all free to come up.  Then we made a plan – we would go to the snow.

Enter Magic Mountain:

Not for skiing mind you, for this: Tubing!  For $25, plus a bit more for a helmet rental (and yes, you need it), you can spend the day getting towed up the hill, then sliding back down on a giant covered inner tube.  As we say in New England, wicked fun!  Wicked fast too.  The kiddos went down with their mom and dad and had a blast:  Hard to see – not so easy to get with the iPhone camera!  They were flying down the hill.

After an afternoon of this, we had managed to exhaust the niece and almost-nephew.  Not an easy feat – I learned very quickly that 2 five year olds have more energy than 5 adults put together, even when they’re tired ;-)   We spent the rest of the afternoon here: curled up in front of the woodstove, glass of wine in hand.  Of course, this makes it look for more tranquil than it actually was – I caught a picture in between small humans running by.  It was more loud and slightly chaotic than tranquil – pretty much how it goes for a family weekend.  In other words – perfect, snow or not.

Happy Leap Day!  It looks like we may get a little bit of the white stuff today, which would make the day just right…

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My View

February 2, 2012 in February 2012 | 1 comment

The view from where I sit…

I’ve been inspired by this post, linked by someone else yesterday.  I always want to take more pictures but needed a little inspiration for different subjects – something other than the usual cat/fiber project/landscape/flowers that seem to make up so many of my shots.  I love this list of ideas and the list she posted for last month.  Great subject matter that hopefully will inspire me to get creative with both my DSLR and my iPhone camera, with its multiple apps for photo editing.

Yesterday’s topic was so timely – your view today.  I have come to think of February 1 as the start of “Grant Season” in my work world – the crazy busy months that go from mid-winter to late June (and sometimes into July) in which we are consumed with funding applications and grant writing for next fiscal year.  I’m on track for one proposal a week for the foreseeable future – and its only just begun.  So, this view – my usual, ordinary, look up from my desk view, seemed all too appropriate today when I paused to consider the months ahead.  I took a minute consider my view – of that very strategically hung picture placed above where I will spend a huge number of hours over the next few months visioning and planning and writing — and hoping that those big dreams become reality.

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Favorite Things

January 30, 2012 in January 2011 | 2 comments

Inspired by a post I saw this morning, a few of my favorite things from the weekend…

New glasses – pink ones!  So much fun!

Saturday night with the ladies – haven’t laughed so much in a long time.

a long weekend at home – I had 2 days of vacation time from last year to use (or lose) by month end, so I’m happily home, catching up on Painted Sheep stuff and lining up some fun new things and hanging with family and friends and even just relaxing.  definitely one of my favorite things.

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2011

December 31, 2011 in December 2011 | 1 comment

2011 was an up and down year if I’ve ever had one.  I think I will look back on this year and remember exactly that – lots of highs and lows.  There were definitely some great things – my trip to Harrisville, fun times with friends and family, a fabulously snowy winter, the success I’ve had at work with getting my new program.  And there were some rough things that I don’t particularly want to look back on.  I am instead looking forward – at what parts of those rough spots were in my control and what I can do to fix them.  I want 2012 to be a better year – and if I have any say, it sure as hell will be.

I can say that it was a rather successful year for the knitting.  My grand total for the year – 21 finished projects.  Two of those were long on the needles UFOs – Wisteria (“only” a couple of years) and Oh! Canada (it moved with me – once across state lines and once across town).  That was one of my goals for the year – one of the few I managed to complete (we’re not going to discuss the non-fiber goals, which went to hell in about March).  It was big for me to finish them and is absolutely motivating me for 2012 – I plan to tackle my biggest and oldest UFO next year.  2011 turned out to be the year of the accessory, whether I meant for it to be or not.  Of my knits for the year, there was just one adult sweater.  The rest: 4 kid things (3 pairs of slippers and a sweater), 4 home accessories (a pillow cover, stocking, ornament and key chain thing), 4 scarves/cowls, 4 shawls (including one handspun!!!), 2 pairs of socks, a hat and a pair of fair isle mittens.  I’d love to add one more shawl to that total but its not looking so likely ;-)

There of course was other fiber-y stuff – spinning and learning to weave and a couple of dye days (not enough).  2011 was a slow year for The Painted Sheep.  I think I’m at a point where I’m OK with it just being what it is – my little “hobby” business.  There was a point at which I had dreams of growing it much bigger.  Life has changed so much since then that its just not in the cards for the foreseeable future.  Now, if I win the lottery or figure out how to add 6 more hours to the day and get an “investor” to pump a little cash in, I promise to jump right back in with both feet.  Until then, I’m content with what it is – some online sales, some fun events and a great excuse to play in my studio from time to time.  It still brings me great joy so I plan to keep at it.  There’s still lots more fun to come.

I plan to see this year off and welcome 2012 with a bang – Jenni’s coming over for Cheap Wine and Chinese Night, New Year’s Eve style, which involves the usual mix of exceptionally cheap wine (I went boxed!) and take out from Great Taste, with a tequila toast at midnight and quite possibly, boozy cupcakes.  There will be knitting and gossiping and a lot of laughs.  I’m ready to see this year off and can’t think of a better way to do it.

To all of you, have a safe and happy New Year!

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A Convert

December 29, 2011 in December 2011, Uncategorized | 2 comments

Those of you who have reading a while have probably figured out that I’m far from an “early adopter” of technology.  I’m not one for the newest/latest/greatest of most anything.  I usually look at the trendy new stuff that everyone has to have with a bit of skepticism – you’re really going to have to show me why I need it and why I would shell out $$$ for it.  Don’t get me wrong – I love and depend on my technology – anyone who’s seen me with my iPhone appearing to be permanently embedded in my hand knows my addiction is strong.  I’m just sticking with my 4 until I’m both due for an upgrade and need to replace it.

When e-readers came out a while back, I met it with my usual – no thanks.  Looked like a fun toy but I would never give up a book.  I love how they feel in my hand.  I use my library, in part because New Britain has a great one, in part because I fear that we use them or lose them.  I love a good independent bookstore, especially now that they are a rarity.  An e-reader takes away some of the best parts of a good book.

Even still, I’ve kept an eye on what’s out there for e-readers.   I’m at max capacity for non-fiber related books (those have their own bookshelf) and never wish to move dozens of boxes of books again.  An e-reader is a perfect solution.  A few months ago, I watched a friend pull up a knitting pattern in PDF form on her Kindle.  It caught my interest.  Then I heard that you could get e-books from the library, which was enough for me to add one to my Christmas wish list.   I can still get books for free (!) and support my library and put knitting patterns on it and not pile books up on my shelves – sold!

Santa brought me a Nook for Christmas.  True to my nature, its the Simple Touch, the 2nd generation, just an e-reader.  No need for a tablet here.  Its brilliant.  I bought a book that’s been on my GoodReads list right away – a book in seconds, from my brother’s couch on Christmas day, made me giddy.  I added a bunch of PDFs of knitting patterns, including Daybreak, so I’d have them at my fingertips.  I borrowed Animal, Vegetable, Miracle from the library (the only downside is that most of the good stuff is out – but I put a hold on it and was emailed when it became available the next day). I added everything from my GoodReads To Read shelf to the wishlist on my Nook – just in case I need something in the moment.

Then I discovered something – I can read and knit at the same time.  Nook goes on my lap, mindless project in hand.   I’m in feet up, cuppa at my side, vacation heaven here.  Bliss.

I have to admit – had I known that, I would have gotten one a long time ago…

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