Tag: Crafts

Danger! Beware!! Yarn Sale!!!

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

Finally I have a moment (or half a one) where I can put some thoughts together.  It has been a very busy period for me.  Here it is nearly two weeks later from the last time I was on here – I can’t believe that much time has slipped by. 

Work has been frantic and by the time I do work and school I’m so tired I can barely get through the night.  Registration this semester has been more stressful and difficult than in previous semesters.  I thought maybe it was just me but I talked to a couple other people and they agreed.

This last weekend I got talked into going to Herrschner’s for the day.  For those who don’t know, they are a huge mail order catalog company with a store in Stevens Point Wisconsin.  I crochet.  I crochet a lot when I’m stressed.  I like to have one big project going – like an afghan (currently Stephanie’s star shaped with an 8 mile circumference) and small projects to fill in when I want something quick to finish and feel like I’ve accomplished something. 

I have lots of faculty and student workers to make gifts for.  This gives me a target for making all my little goodies.  I’m not going to say what I’m making them for the winter holidays but they will be crocheted things most likely.  Herrschner’s was having a HUGE sale on yarn.  Instead of doing homework on Saturday like I should have I snuck off to this sale.  Stevens Point is a two hour drive so it generally turns into a most of the day event. 

Friday I printed off their internet page with all the sale yarn listed.  I circled the ones I was interested in.  Saturday we asked and they honored the prices.  I got skeins of yarn that normally cost between $7 – $10 each for anywhere from $1 – $3.50 each.  I was thrilled for the savings but also I will get to work with yarn I don’t normally buy.  Some of the yarn includes silk, chenille, fleece, and alpaca.  I’ve been wanting to work with all of these for quite some time. 

While I didn’t get homework done, I did enjoy wandering through the yarn and touching everything.  Yes I touched all sorts of yarn.  There is something about the textures, softness, and colors that just gives me a thrill.  Other women have a thing for shopping for clothes – my thing – YARN… 

Best part of the day – my husband didn’t complain at all because I spent money on yarn!!!

Check Things Off

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

It is a day for checking things off.  I finish my Creative Writing class, now I just have to wait on my grade.  I finished my quiz and chapter for Linguistics.  I got the recall petition ready to be mailed (just has to go to the mail box). 

Next I’m going to work on curtains I think.  I bought some fun material for both the kitchen and office and plan to make curtains for both.  I think café curtain with valance for the kitchen and just straight curtains in the office. 

After that it is anyone’s guess the type of mischief I’ll get up to.  I could work on quilts (don’t get your hopes up girls) or crocheting or organizing some of my writing stuff.  I’m keeping my options open.

Long Weekend

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

I’m halfway through my weekend today.  Yesterday I ran errands with my daughter.  It was a normal pay week Saturday with grocery shopping and other errands. 

Visited the Doc on Thursday and have another bottle of pain killers.  I’ll see how well they work.  I’m not holding my breath though.  I’ve not taken any yet because we’ve been so busy. 

Yesterday afternoon a friend came over and we crafted and chatted.  It was such a wonderful afternoon.  We relaxed and talked.  Yes some crafting got done.  We laughed and had silly conversation and also delved into some more serious stuff to.  It is always a pleasure to have those conversations with people who are willing to listen and discuss with an open mind.  It makes you think to hear others beliefs – at least it does for me – and to express your own because you have to put into words some esoteric concepts.

Today I’m starting the tax season by helping Vicki with her taxes.  After we are done with her taxes then I’ll be working on writing things.  I have a chapter laid out in my head – now I just have to get it down on paper (per se it will really be in the computer but…).  I’m hoping to finish that today. 

Tomorrow is Ken’s birthday so I’m looking to do things with him.  He will be 50.  I’ve been teasing him about getting old but really he is just getting better and better.  I’m glad I took the day and we will have time together. 

Overall it will be a busy weekend but at the same time it has all the best components – family, friends, relaxation, fun, and even getting work done.

Back to Work

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

It has been a busy weekend.  Vicki and I watched an entire season of Merlin series.  Now we are caught up to the current season.  I crocheted while I watched for most of the time.  Still not done with the baby blanket.  I worked on that during craft day.  We had a good time.  There were five of us though one went off to watch the Packers play football rather than sit with the crafters. 

Mostly I crocheted but I also helped arrange beads for Vicki’s necklace Beth was making.  The three of us worked on it arranging and spilling beads everywhere.  The little suckers like to bounce and scramble all over the place.  I’m sure we will be finding them in our living room for a while. 

I wrote part of a chapter last night.  It was to the point where I could see the scene.  I worked for a couple of hours and got half the chapter done.  I will be finishing it tonight most likely.  I have to go back and reread a section or two to make sure I have details right.  After that I’ll be finishing the chapter.  I can already see that part in my head. 

I got a surprise in the mail on Saturday.  One of my poems was published in The Unicorn – I’ve updated the credits page to reflect this new publication.  I was thrilled as I wasn’t expecting it.  Rev Paul does a wonderful job on this small publication.  It is always an honor to have one of my pieces included in his publication. 

Now it is back to work today.  It should be an interesting day.  Being morning all I really want to do is go back to sleep but I like my paycheck so I’ll just keep working.

Back to the keyboard

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

My gout has subsided enough that walking isn’t a painful thing.  I’ve spent the week watching tv and reading.  I finished the latest JD Robb book.  It was pretty good.  I’ve missed writing though.  I feel like I’ve missed out on a good friend all week. 

Vicki slipped and fell on the ice. She sprained her ankle, banged up her arm.  She’s in don’t touch me and don’t move mode.  Gotta love winter…

Today the plan is to get ready for Craft day tomorrow.  I think I know what I’m going to work on.  It is going to be one of three things.  Hopefully I’ll decide before tomorrow.  You just never know what mischief I’ll get up to.

I’m also hoping to have time at my keyboard with my story.  I think I have the next chapter thought out.  It is just a matter of getting it down on paper.  I might even have two chapters in my head which is always a problem because I get to a point where the story takes over my dreams and all I can think about is the story. 

Ken and I will be running an errand or two today.  After the errands are done it will be back here to be cozy and warm in the house.  Fireplace is going non-stop to battle the really cold temperatures we are having.  There is snow drifting down but I think we are only supposed to get a dusting.  It will be a good day to be home. 

With luck, my gout will let me sit at the computer and get lots of writing done.  Yes I’m likely obsessed with it but I’m going with that is okay because it isn’t hurting anyone accept the characters I kill off.  So far those characters are bad guys but part of me is debating the death of one or two of my good characters in order to move the story along.  This has to be done carefully.  I don’t want to kill off just anyone and it has to be appropriately done.  The right character at the right time in the right way.  It will be a challenge to work out the details.  I don’t think it will be in the next two chapters.  I’ll have to see where they take me though.

Onward with my day I guess…

Craft Day

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized
I’m hosting a craft day next weekend.  It should be a lot of fun.  It will be my middle daughter, her godmother, a friend, one of my sisters, and my mom.  We are all going to bring something to do while we sit around and chat. 
This is something I’d love to do more often.  It would be great to have a regular time when women could come together to socialize without there being expectations for the day.  No makeup unless you want to.  No fancy clothes.  Just women coming together to laugh and talk while we work on crafts (or not). 
I plan to work on crocheting.  I know some people are bringing other things like knitting, needlework, or beading. It doesn’t really matter if we are getting together to enjoy the time.
Ken will be in a different room watching the football game.  I don’t know if other men will join him – they are welcome.  Some of the women might wander in there too.  Not all women share my abhorrence for football. 
I’m looking forward to it and hope that everyone has a good time…