Day Off

I should be productive right?  Well my day off has been not overly productive.  I saw Stephanie off this morning and dozed until Vicki called me.  After talking to her while she drove to work, I dozed until 9.  Finally dragging my bum out of bed / sleep mode, I hit the computer to do some bookwork like updating my expense report for my writing, working on the budget and so on.

I had a plan – when don’t I – but it has fallen through the cracks and I’m just winging it now.  As soon as I’m done on the computer I’m going to go pick out some of my “stash” yarn.  Then I’m going to work on a pattern I’m seeing in my head to see if I can actually make it.  If it turns out decently, I’ll work on publishing the pattern.

I was going to put in Downton Abbey and watch the last season while I crocheted.  I don’t think that is happening at this point.  Ken will be home soonish and he won’t want to watch it.

Stephanie and I went to Hobby Lobby and Joann’s last night.  I walked out having used a 50% off coupon on one item and the other items I bought were already marked down.  I spent a little over $20 and saved a little over $30.  I love it when that happens.

Next is for Ken to wash these for me so I can get the projects done.  Two of them are experiments to test out an idea I have.  I have so many crochet projects bouncing around in my head right now.  I can’t get them done fast enough.  At the same time I have a lot of projects on the go so I really need to finish some of them.
I need to remember – one thing at a time.  It’s all I can do – one thing at a time.  I just need to pick a project and work on it.  The one bouncing around in my head wins!  I’m off to pick out some pretty yarn for a small project and hopefully I will finish it quickly in order to move on to the next crazy thing in my head.

Checked off the list

Yesterday, I worked on taxes for my daughter and for us.  I had a business meeting.  My late afternoon appointment didn’t show up.  In the meanwhile I got three of my crochet patterns posted on Ravelry, started a new pattern, which I’m pleased with the result, and spent time with Ken.  I posted a contest on my Facebook page for my readers and friends to enter a drawing to win one of my books.  If you want to know more go to my site:  http://eileentroemel.weebly.com/ 

This morning I woke up at 5 am with a migraine.  I went back to sleep in the hopes of it going away but it didn’t.  So now on top of the migraine, I feel like I’m behind schedule.  I have crochet patterns to deal with.  I have to do a bit of research to figure out whether I should post the Half Dozen Headbands and Warm Winter Set as a set on Ravelry or if I should do each pattern individually.  It means research.

In addition to what I’ve gotten done, I need to go through the stacks of coupons I have so I’m prepped and ready for the shopping trip next weekend.  I’ve already gone through the apps to look for deals.

I was hoping to get more done today but my head is killing me so I will take it easy today I think.  It is Ken’s birthday today.  He gets to pick what we do.  We’ve finally caught up on Scorpion but we are behind now on a number of other shows.  It’s up to him.

I’ve checked off some of the things on my weekend to do list.  I think the rest of the weekend will have to be about Ken and getting rid of a migraine.

Teeter Totter

Seeking a balance in my tasks, I’ve been trying to find the right combination among writing, crocheting, and family tasks.  I’ve been working on editing a manuscript which is now down to a final read through as I’ve finished the searches I normally do.  At the same time, I’ve been working on projects for my daughters.  I just finished two cat beds which I didn’t have patterns for the two different styles.

Striking a balance (of sorts) is good in that I don’t feel I’m so focused on one task that I get burned out on it.  I’m also able to embrace the different sides of my creative nature – making beautiful things and telling good stories.

I have a long list of crochet patterns I want to publish and at the same time I need to work on marketing.  Monday I will be home alone so I am going to attempt to get the end of year reports done for my writing and editing business and then work on preparation for publishing for the patterns I have complete.

I’m back and forth on what I’m working on but I feel like I’m at least making progress on all my interests.

Next week classes start up again.  This means my work will go from slow and quiet to insane.  Almost all of the faculty will be back in the building regularly and the students will be back.  Next week will be exhausting and fast paced which means when I get home I’ll be looking for mellow things to do.  Things I won’t have to think about too much.  This means either crocheting or maybe editing / marketing.  I have a number of books to go through to pull out quotes for posting on twitter.  Either task will be low key for the most part.

My goal this year – hopefully – is to not buy any new yarn unless I have a specific project in mind and to work on whittling down my stash and my current load of projects.  This means I want to clear out some of the bins of yarn I have for Vicki and other people.  It also means I have to find that balance so I have time for crocheting and writing.

I have to go with the flow when I’m writing – when the story is flowing I have to write.  However, I’m going to attempt to make time for both of my main interests.  I’ll see how this plays out.

A Good Schedule

In Wisconsin we’ve turned cold.  Temps have dipped from the thirties to the teens.  Stepping outside I catch my breath and feel a hitch from the icy temps.  This means I’m starting the hibernating part of the year.

I’ve finished the dish towels for the girls in Georgia.  Now I’m moving on to other projects.  Since it’s so cold outside, it’s a good time to work on the bigger projects.  I’ve a number of projects I want to work through while I’m finishing up a show of which I have about five more episodes.  If I’m responsible, I can watch three or four a night.

I believe I will be working on a new pattern tonight.  I’ll have to see how it goes but Vicki has asked for cat beds from some of the left over fleece she’s left for another blanket.  I’m going to pair it with the jute rope I have and see how the project turns out.

Winter is on us with the colder temps but it’s supposed to warm up a bit today and tomorrow.  It will be interesting to see if it is warm enough to melt the snow again.  I think we may go back to green / brown grass but then colder temps.

The erratic weather makes me want to hunker down and work on inside projects.  It’s time to clear out my work basket and finish off a couple of those projects and then turn to another of Vicki’s baskets so I can keep progressing through her piles of yarn.

At the same time, I would like to go back to writing more.  I may have to schedule a long weekend and devote my time to writing, editing, and working on my marketing plan.  I have a number of crochet patterns to publish.  This is the time people are looking for new ideas and new patterns to try so it would be good to complete the patterns and publish them.

My schedule for the next several weeks is busy enough where getting work like that done is difficult.  I’ll have to see what I can manage for creating a schedule for myself.  It really does come down to good organization and scheduling.

Offline

I’ve been deliberately offline for nearly two weeks.  In this time I’ve only looked at email for urgent stuff and to dump the junk mail.  I focused on time with my family and crocheting.

I lost track of the number of items (see the pictures) I finished while Vicki was home.  I did finish off one complete bag of yarn for her, as well as a few projects which weren’t in any bags.  I know I finished at least nine things on her list but I also added in a few more things as she bought more yarn for me to work with.

It was quiet and calming to not be online or at work.  For the most part, she and I hung out at home though there were a few days we ran errands.  I loved making the items.  It’s wonderful to pick up yarn and with a few strokes create something useful and beautiful.  I’m pleased with most of what came out.

Since she returned home, I’ve been working on projects for my girls in Georgia.  I should finish them tonight – I hope.  Once those are done, I’m going to clear out my project basket and work on the other projects I set aside to work on stuff for all my girls.  I think there are three or four projects in there I would like to finish.

However, at the same time, I’d like to get back to writing.  I have a novel to edit and two to finish writing.  I’ll be switching off between the two I guess.  I’m currently watching a tv show while I crochet so I may have to finish the last ten episodes before I go back to writing.  This will mean crocheting while I watch.

Yesterday I watched two craftsy classes while I did prep for dishtowels.  It was nice to switch things up and listen to other things than television shows.  When I get back to editing, I’ll probably put music on again.  I’ve not listened to much for music lately as I’ve been busy crocheting.  I’ve either been watching tv shows or movies.  I’m back to working out a balance of tasks – writing, crocheting, and family time.

The Holidays

The insanity of the holidays always makes me grumpy.  This year I’m missing my girls but I’m trying to make the best of it.  Vicki is home but the other two are in Georgia.  I’m missing them and I’m missing the all day game playing, movie watching, and being together.

Ken and Vicki went off to his family gathering.  They likely won’t be back till late afternoon or early evening.  I’m working on the computer for now but then I’ll be going back to crocheting.  I currently have two projects in the works for Vicki – an apron which will be a mix of terry cloth and crochet cotton and a shawl which I’m crocheting.  If I could figure out how to work on both, I would.

Yesterday Vicki and I went to Festival and got groceries.  We shopped their sale items and had a ton of coupons.  We spent $250 and saved about $120 between sales and coupons.  Today I was going through the receipt to split up her items and mine.  I noticed several of our coupons didn’t take off.  I called them expecting them to say there was nothing they could do since it was yesterday.  Instead they refunded the money and gave us two coupons for a dollar off.

Tomorrow we are going to do as much as possible with the girls in Georgia.  I’m sure there will be video chatting (or at the very least phone conversations) but we are also attempting to go to a movie at roughly the same time.  Saturday when Beth is over, we’ll open gifts and have more family time.  I’m also hoping to go see a movie on that day.

Aside from the holiday stuff, I’m hoping to get a number of projects done.  I’ve pulled out one of Vicki’s bags and have been working on the projects in it.  I finished two skeins of yarn to make her hat, wristers, scarf out of one and hat and wristers out of the other.  I’ll see how far I get by the end of the weekend.  I may have to shift things to determine what I’m going to work on.  As is normal – I have a LONG LONG list of things to do for her.

I’ve got classical music on.  I’m babysitting the two grand fur babies – Sasha and Ava.  I’ll be going back to crocheting shortly.  All in all, a good day so far.  Just one more day to get through with the holiday silliness and I can put another year behind me.

Cleaned up

My living room has been filled with craft projects and all the accessories which go with the craft projects.  Over the weekend I finished seven projects and got started on an eighth one.  I am hoping to finish this one tonight.  Last night I could barely keep my eyes open to work on it.

I took time to put away four bags of yarn and still have one more to put away though I’m waiting for Vicki to be home so she can check out the goodies I have in there.

Two of the ponchos are for my mom.  She bought the material and I just crocheted around it for her.  Hopefully she likes them.  She’ll let me know.

The baskets are for the kids of one of my faculty.  Her oldest son asked me for an orange one and I made it.  Then her other kids asked me for some so here they are.  I’m sure they will enjoy them.

The green poncho and the headband is for Vicki.  I’ll see if she likes them.  If not, maybe I’ll keep them.  I can already hear her saying “They are MINE, mom!!!”  I have to tease her because I can.  She wouldn’t know what to do if I didn’t.

I thought I was making progress on the projects and then Ken washed all the material Vicki and I bought after Thanksgiving.  This means I have another large basket of projects.  When Vicki is home, I’ll prioritize them and see what she wants done first.  Then it will be a matter of spending time with her while I craft and she reads.

Finishing these projects did clear off a number of things on my to do list but I still have forty or so on my to do for crocheting only but I haven’t added the fabric items which need to be done.  I’ll be adding those to her list and some to my non-Vicki list for other people.

I like seeing the items get done.  I like accomplishing things and seeing the pretty things done and ready.  It’s also wonderful to see people’s faces when I give them their stuff and they are delighted.  I just have to balance all the crafting with all the other aspects of my life.

Prepping for Vacation

Four days of work left before my vacation.  I can’t wait.  It will be good to have a break and just be at home.  I don’t have to shower or dress if I don’t want to – though the other people at home might object if I go too long without showering.

My plan – tackle the boxes of yarn for Vicki and get as much done as possible.  I’m currently stalled on the blanket I’m working on.  I’m doing a more intricate border and it is taking longer.  However, I’m hoping to finish it tonight and move on to one of the other three I have prepped.  Two of them are smaller so if I do complex, it still won’t take as long and one is a blanket but needs a simple edging.

Once I’m done with these four, I have four more to do – two for my mom and two for Vicki.  Then I also have the basket full of material which needs washing – though I think most of that will be decided on after Vicki comes home.

The semester is winding down.  The work load is easing off.  I’m saying goodbye to one student worker as she student teaches next semester.  Otherwise I’m just wishing them all happy holidays as they finish off their finals and head for home.

My desk at work is getting clearer as I finish up a number of tasks.  I’ll be cleaning up some tasks so they can be marked as complete – at least as far as I can take them for now.

It is nice to clean up and clear off before I go on vacation.  It means when I come back to work, I’ll have emails to deal with but few URGENT projects.

This year I find myself wishing my daughters could all be home.  I feel a need to have them near for family time.  I know the two in Georgia can’t make it home but I am missing them.  We will video chat on Christmas.  I’m looking forward to spending the time with them that way instead.  I think we are all going to try to go to the movies on that day.  It’s convoluted but we will all at least be doing the same thing – if not together at least at the same time.

I know part of this is my normal holiday grumpiness.  It’s just hit me a bit harder this year.  I’m coping.  My crocheting and meditating help me deal with my feelings.  Crocheting – creating really – helps to lift my spirits.  I know I’m creating things which will brighten people’s spirits.

My inner dialog has been rough the past week or so but as I work on a project, produce more, it helps me be kinder to myself.  I can’t really explain how or why but it does.  Also, I’m clearing out some of the clutter in my living room with each project.  As the room gets neater, I start to feel better.  I’ll get through the stack of projects and then I’ll put away most of the yarn except my container of projects.  We do have to prep for the grand fur babies coming home, one of which is a mischievous bugger who gets into everything.  Clear up, clean up, and prep for the visit.  That will be the weekend.

Craft Organizing, Crafting Weekends

With the weekend snowstorm, we’ve started the winter season.  We got slammed with just under a foot of snow.  I’ve heard grumblings and complaints but really it will probably all be gone by mid-week.  We were lucky it came on a weekend so for the most part we could curl up inside and not have to go anywhere.

For me, I did a lot of crocheting.  I cleaned and organized some of my craft stuff but mostly I worked on projects.  I can’t show many of them because they’re presents.  I do have one, which turned out better than I expected.  I’ve had the supplies to make this for a while but thought it would be tough with attaching it to the hardware and working it to fit but I was wrong.  It was actually a breeze.  It’s made with Lion Brand Bon Bon yarn and was simply a matter of sewing it to the closure.  I might have to make more of these.  I might even try to make my own pattern.

I’ve got a four day weekend coming up and I’m looking forward to spending it crocheting.  I have a large list of small projects I want to work on.  I’ll post pictures when I’m done.  However, after this weekend, I have to focus on finishing up the gifts I need to make.  Those pictures won’t go on here until after I’ve handed them out.

Once the presents are done, I’ve got two larger projects I’m working on that I’d like to complete and get out of my craft basket.  This is of course a prelude to me picking new projects to put in my crochet basket.  I reach a point where I look at a project and say – all right I just want this one done.

I sorted through several baskets of yarn and as I did, I wanted to set aside a number of things and just pull out certain yarn and work with is.  This is my current work in progress.  I came across the yarn and couldn’t resist starting a blanket for my daughter.  I made up a pattern which took a bit of trial and error but now I’ve started, I’m loving it.  I want to go buy up a bunch of this yarn to make a bunch of projects with it.  It works up quickly and is warm and soft.  I’ll have to see how things go and hopefully will be able to work with more of this yarn.  I can see in my head all sorts of options and projects.  I love it when a product inspires me.

A Calm Weekend – Hopefully

Stephanie came home on Thursday.  Ken, Stephanie and I went to Paint Nite and had a good time.  It was a long day for all of us but particularly Ken.  Stephanie spent the morning with Ken while I worked.  They came to pick me up and we all went to lunch with Beth.  She and I went to Joann’s and did a bit of shopping.
She went to visit friends in Ripon.  Which left Ken and I to our own devices.  We caught up on tv shows and I worked on prepping a bunch of fleece I’d bought.  I have about half of them prepped now.  Last night I started a throw for my oldest daughter which I hope to finish today.  I have a blanket for Stephanie which I want to finish before she goes back to Georgia.

It’s the first week of registration where I work.  This means I’ve been working longer hours and my legs are swollen and sore.  I’ll be spending most of today in the recliner and crocheting.  I’m hoping to get a number of projects done.  Work has been incredibly busy and a bit too stressful so this weekend is about being mellow.

With the terror attacks in Paris, I’m hoping Stephanie has no problems flying back on Monday.  Like most of the world, these baffle me.  If you don’t want to be alive and feel the need to take your own life, do it but don’t hurt or kill others.  It doesn’t make sense but then again, I’m not a disenfranchised person involved with a terrorist group.

Since my gout is flaring again, I’m going to spend my weekend being as quiet and calm as possible.  I’m going to enjoy my daughter being home and spending time with her as much as possible.  This means I’m doing things I like to do and trying to shut out the chaos of the world and the frantic pace of my job.

I can only hope some semblance of sanity returns to the world.  My job will be crazy for another couple of weeks before it calms down a bit.  While it is so stressful, I’ll be crocheting and relaxing as much as possible.