Tag: crocheting

Weekend Work

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

After answering emails and doing a bit of work on the computer, I worked on organizing the craft room.  I got yarn put away, Vicki’s yarn condensed into fewer containers, and shelves cleared so we could get the organizer in the closet.

Ken helped by putting together the organizer.  Then we had to try different things in the closet for the left over space from the organizer.  Eventually we settled on custom shelves which I’m happy to say we aren’t going to pay anything for because Ken had all the material here he needed.

Our morning was all about getting the closet organized.  The afternoon we watched movies and I crocheted – sort of.  I napped a bit as well as crocheting.  After supper, I worked on the afghan I’ve been working on.  It took a while but I finished it.  Then I worked on sewing a coin purse to the clasp.  I remember how much I dislike doing this.  I quit at one point with frustration.  My hands hurt and I was struggling to get the needle through the holes.  Today I’ll probably work on finishing that.

I was up late watching the last of the Harry Potter movies.  This is what I’ve been watching while I crochet.  Friday night I got a whole skein done (large 1 pound skein) and yesterday I finished off the last skein.  Today I’ll be taking pictures and measurements to go with my pattern so I can publish.

If Ken gets my shelves done, I’m going to attempt to go through the craft room to work on the organizing part.  I’ll have to see how the day goes.

I woke up with about four scenes in my head for the next Wayfarer book.  After Ken goes to bed, I’m hoping to get those added in.  I’m trying to decide what I want where for craft and pagan supplies and where it will all go.  I may shift some stuff in my office to bring in some of the pagan stuff but I have to see how the space goes in the craft room first I think.

Shopping on a Saturday

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

What was I thinking?  I hate shopping at the best of times but shopping in Walmart on Saturday.  Ugh!!  It was busy with lots of crying kids.  My husband got crankier with every purchase.  I had three app rebates to coordinate, prices to compare, and coupons to organize.  I saved $3.75 in coupons and $10.80 in rebates for my apps and .55 cents in another app.

Then we moved on to Farm and Fleet.  Ken got new shoes because they were on sale.  He went in by himself while I talked to Vicki on the phone and took pictures of receipts.  Our last stop was the new Firehouse Subs.  Ken went in by himself and got our lunch.  It was quite good.

Next I have to organize our route for the pop up libraries and getting the books organized.  We are going to try to hit as many as possible today put one or two books in each one we stop at.

Then I’m coming home and crashing.  I’ve had enough of people, shopping, and noise.  I want the peace and quiet of my house.  Hopefully I will have the energy to work on hand towels.  I’m going to try to finish them this weekend but I’ll have to see how my energy level is tonight and tomorrow.

I’m trimming all the editing and publishing off my list for tomorrow because I need some down time with my feet up.  If my legs feel okay, I may have time to work on the computer but more likely, I’ll just work on crocheting.

Submit or Else

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

This week I’ve submitted ten different articles / stories for publication.  Two have been rejected, one has been tentatively accepted, and the other seven I probably will never hear about again.  I wrote a rough draft for a new article I want to submit but I’ll have to see if I have time to get it in before the deadline.

I have at least two more publications I want to submit to before I start looking at other projects.  However, I got an email from a publication which I would like to submit to for crocheting but I believe I would have to make the piece and send it in for this magazine so that may take a bit longer.

It feels good to get my work out there but I’m also prepping myself for the rejections that go with the submission process.  I’ve done a submission for some greeting cards and a regional poetry contest.  I’ve also submitted work to two other publications.

There’s always the hope that any of these submissions will not only get published but that I might also get paid for it.  Income from publishing is rare and hard to come by but it is a rush of pleasure when I do get paid for my work.

I’d like to figure out the best way to track leads.  I get a bunch of them but I either forget about them until after the deadline or I don’t get the piece done in time for the deadline.  It would be nice if I could figure out a way to track a lead, when stuff is due, what I submit, if it gets published and so on.  I’ve got a works list where I type in all the submissions I do but it doesn’t really fit the bill.  I need to find the right tool which will help me be more efficient with getting my stuff out there for publication. I might have to create a One Note notebook to help me with this.  I’ll have to think about it.

In the past I’ve had a paper copy of the articles with a post it on it to track when I submitted it.  This hasn’t ever worked well.  I’ll have to consider my options.

Midnight has hit.  I should probably head to bed as I have to go back to my day job tomorrow.  The writing bug has got me thinking about what I need to be a more efficient author though.  I guess I could sleep on it and see what my subconscious comes up with.

Cram It All In

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

The weekend is here and it is supposed to be about rest and relaxation, right?  Not this weekend.  I’m up early and helped one daughter with her taxes.  Next I have a business call in a little over an hour.  In between, I’m hoping to upload some of my patterns I just published to Ravelry and get a few other things done.

I’ve got this business meeting call and then I have a bunch of other things I want to get done.  I want to finish off typing up the patterns (four of them) which I want to publish.  I have to put all of them on Ravelry.  I should get the edits for Wayfarer 10 entered on the computer and work on the cover.  Some of my test readers liked and some didn’t.  I should work on prepping stuff for doing my own taxes.

I have so much bouncing around in my head right now it is crazy.  I need to take a breath, make a list, and prioritize.  Because in addition to all these things, I also need down time.  This last week was stressful for work and next week will be as well.  I just need to take a breath and do what I’m able.  The rest will get done in time.

I’m back to several crochet projects I want to try in my head on top of all the other things going on.  I need to figure out what I can get done and just let the rest go.  In my head right now, I’m laughing at myself because this is definitely not something I’m good at.  In my head, I’m hearing – publish 4 more crochet patterns, work on poncho and fleece / crochet mitten pattern, marketing, organize tax stuff, edits and cover for 10, write 11, write Defenders 3 – get moving and get stuff done!!

The other part of me is saying one at a time.  I can only do one of these at a time and I need to make sure I get enough rest and calm so I am ready for work next week.  I need to have that balance or I throw my health into a bad place.  So I’ll cram in what I can but try to remember to breathe and keep moving forward one thing at a time – hopefully.

Cleaned up

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting

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

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

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.

Updates

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

Finished a number of gifts last night.  This morning Ken helped me get them packaged up for distribution.  I have two more to finish by Friday and then two more to finish the following week.  Then I’ll be moving on to clearing up some of the other crochet projects on my list including some for when Vicki comes home to visit.

I’ve been anti-computers lately.  I think I’ve gotten an overload at my day job so when I come home the last thing I want to do is be on the computer some more.

Having said that, on the drive to visit Vicki my mind wandered to stories and where I was, what I want to do with them, and progress.  I’ve been creating a bunch of patterns so I’m going to put them on my to publish list though they probably won’t make it out this year.  I’ve got writing ideas I want to work on but a big part of my brain wants to crochet.

Since I need to keep my stress level lower, I am crocheting.  Stephanie asked me for cat toys so I’m making them during my lunch hour.  People who come in while I’m working on them are just amazed which surprises me.  These are simple little things which are easy enough to make.  Yet they all exclaim over them – go figure.

I’ve got time off coming up – starting the 23rd.  I can’t wait.  Vicki will be home.  I wish I could get Virginia and Stephanie home as well but it isn’t possible this year.  My plan is to spend time with her and crochet.  I’ll post pictures when I can on what I get done for her.  I have a number of projects which are experimental.  I’m hoping they turn out nicely but we will see.  Plus I’d like to clear out some of the bins she has of yarn in my craft room.

Once she goes home, I’m going back to working on other projects – a skirt, two afghans and a few smaller projects.  I’m also going back to writing after the holidays.  I have several patterns to publish, a novel to edit, and two novels to finish.  After I’m done with those writing projects, I have a non-fiction book I want to work on.  This will take more in depth research and writing but we will see how it turns out.

Christmas is always a difficult time of the year for me.  It stresses me out and annoys me.  Yes, my kids call me Grinch.  This year I feel even more Grinch-like than ever.  Normally I like the lights.  They are bright, shiny, and fun.  This year – I just want to tell all the people who have them out to stop it.  Turn them off and stop wasting money.  I said I was the Grinch.

To be fair, the sun in the morning as I’m driving to work has been annoying me.  I’d prefer the darkness, the cocoon of darkness always feels so much better to me.  It’s like if I can’t see the rest of the world, I’m wrapped in a comfortable blanket of safety.  I guess my morning grump and my holiday grump are showing.

Crocheting and Charmed

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

Last night after Ken went to bed, I watched Charmed and crocheted.  I spent the night watching the season with the Avatars.  I’ve been rewatching this program because it was a good program and I enjoy it.  While I watched, I worked on a wrap for Virginia and a blanket for Stephanie.

The wrap turned out beautifully as you can see.  I spent less than $5 on the materials.  I spent a few hours creating and it is gorgeous.  I hope Virginia likes it.

I’m still working on Stephanie’s.  She wants an eight row border which I got through half of last night.  When I’m done on the computer, I’ll be working on it this afternoon and evening.  I’m hoping she’ll be able to take both with her when she goes home.

This morning I made garbage soup for lunch and I’m hoping I’ll have enough left to take for lunches this week.  Ken went grocery shopping so we’ve been doing this Ibotta app where you can get rebates based on your purchases.  For us it isn’t a lot of money but I’ll take what I can get.  Ken also saved over $8 in coupons.

Ken’s watching football.  I’ll be crocheting and watching Charmed.  It isn’t an exciting life but I’m not complaining.  It will be peaceful and calm and quiet.

Ups and Downs

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

My scooter broke this week.  This meant I had to walk much more than I’m supposed to which has resulted in me being in a lot of pain.  The scooter new costs $1500 and I was panicking a bit but after a bit of research, I don’t believe we will have to pay that unless we come to a worst case scenario.  Fortunately, I called a welder and he was able to weld the frame together.  Now I just have to hope it stays together until I can go through the process of getting the doctor to prescribe one for me so the insurance will pay for it.

It’s been a busy weekend.  Saturday Ken and I ran errands.  We went to a variety of different places including a craft store (Ken’s least favorite place to go).  I got the three things I needed for the three projects I wanted to do and saved $31.  I love coupons.

It was a practical day.  I spent time paying bills, working on budget, running errands and so on.  Nothing momentous happened but stuff got done.  I worked on crocheting last night but was tired.  I spent a bit of time on the phone with my daughters.  This was the best part of the day.

Today has been just as productive.  I made a new breakfast thing to take this week.  I also made lunch for today and for the rest of the week.  Ken did the shopping and saved $22 in coupons.  I’ve been working on the computer a good portion of the day.  It’s writing related things but not writing.  I also worked on two crochet projects.  I got two done so I will be able to write up the one pattern.  The other is just making dish towel with terry cloth and crocheting around the edges.  I made one.  Ken is supposed to try it to see if he likes it.  I’m hoping they work well so we don’t have to buy the one from the store.  I like them better but I never know whether Ken will or not.  The dishtowel is just under 2′ square so you can dry those bigger dishes.

I published a short story today.  Journeys is a about lifelong friends who come together for a weekend away from family.  The two women share their frustrations and joys of being mothers. The short story is only 99 cents and is available on Amazon and Smashwords.  http://eileentroemel.weebly.com/short-stories.html

Balancing Act

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

My searches in Wayfarer 8 are done.  Now I have to do a read through before I print for an edit.  I’ve also gotten about 15,000 words into Wayfarer 10.

My middle daughter sent me a blog from one of her favorite authors about how to handle being stuck in a story.  It was interesting and gave me some ideas for the Defenders series.  I’m hoping it will help me move forward with the story.  It’s ironic, I started this story in 2010 and couldn’t get it down on paper fast enough.  I saw the whole story at the time.  I still do.  My problem is getting from the point I’m at to the next step.  Once I figure out how I move forward, the scenes all but write themselves.  I think I’m just getting hung up on the transitions.

Last night Ken went to bed very early so I watched a Midsomer Murder episode and worked on another ruffle scarf.  I wasn’t quite done with it when the episode was done but I finished and moved on to writing.

Work has been busy.  I’ve gotten a lot done in this week.  It certainly makes the days go faster.  It also feels good to get stuff accomplished.  I love crossing things off my to do list.

Tonight will probably be more of the same.  Saturday I’m going to Madison with my sister to do a painting thing.  I’ll see how it turns out.  I’m not great at painting but I enjoy it so much I keep working at it.

I’m going to a place I’ve never been.  I’m concerned about being comfortable and able to get around in there.  There’s always this what if they aren’t handicap friendly or my scooter will cause more problems or…. the list goes on.  I’m taking it on faith I’ll be able to get in and be comfortable.  I’ll see how it goes.