Makes a long, long week, but it's finally over, and the weekend is HERE! YAY!
I haven't much to say, except that I can't wait for my yarn to arrive for Catkin. I ordered it the other day, and I'm expecting it either tomorrow or Monday at the latest. I'll let you know when that arrives.
In the meanwhile, I'm more or less waiting for my husband to get home. He's been playing Spider Solitaire on my computer because he cannot use his own machine (broken). Know why it's broken?
Well, I will tell you why it's broken.
He doesn't know how to weed out spam, he clicks on all sorts of things that he shouldn't because he believes his machine should work faster than it does, and he's always getting some sort of virus or malware because of it. And so his computer breaks down.
Right now, it's in a continuous boot loop--I'll probably call my computer guru and ask him what to do. HIS friend said that it's probably a bad driver. Right.
So I'll get my computer guru over here to check things out and get him up and running, because I can't take the possibility of him putting malware/virus files on MY computer. And he's been all over the internet with my machine, even though I told him NOT to do so. So I have to get my guru over here quick.
So tonight, I knit, and finish up the fingerless gloves for JoAnn's, and then I can knit myself a pair of lavender gloves. I'm rather looking forward to that. I may make some slip stitch mittens instead--they would be really warm. But for now, stay focused.
You see, I wondered why my fingerless gloves turned out so long for the finger part--and come to find out that I totally misread the pattern...it starts from the top and works to the cuff--I was so focused on it being a bottom/to/top thing that I completely missed the fact that it starts at the top, and misread 2" for 4". So it made no sense, and I made them WRONG.
So now, I'm making them right, and ripping out what I had. With that in mind, I can use the extra yarn for longer cuffs (as I might please) or just make them as written and use the extra yarn for some other thing. Which will make my husband happy.
I also have to reknit his gloves, as they grew a big hole last year. And he really needs his gloves, so I might just knit them back up this weekend. He's not home right now, and I don't know where he is. I'm hoping that he didn't go to the grocery store, but I am completely mystified where he might have gotten to.
(Hush! I know you're not supposed to end a sentence with a preposition! Bad writer! Bad!)
I think I'm going to go knit now. One fingerless glove is done, and I have to the thumbhole done on the second, so it won't take me but a few hours to finish this last one, and get started on the next project.
Friday, September 30, 2011
In Which I Beat My Head Against The Wall...
Yesterday, I had a doctor appointment.
I didn't have to go for a stress test (didn't want to anyway). But doctor says perhaps an anti-depressant is in order.
Another pill?
What is it about these doctors these days? Since when does an anti-depressant help with stress?
So I'm feeling like I'm beating my head against the wall. Stress is wanting to choke the life out of someone else and not being able (or truly willing) to do so. That's the "beating your head against the wall" part.
So, a friend of mine, who is infinitely more "employable" than *I* apparently am, and who really is a good friend of mine, is looking for a new position. I told him to TAKE ME AWAY (sort of like Calgon bath salts, but really a lot better). So we'll see what happens there. The positions that are open for me are either things where they take advantage of you, or it's all phone, or all typing. Honestly, this job wouldn't be so bad, if there weren't SO much to it. So much to know. So much to remember.
I've already made a mistake and I don't have any idea how to fix it, beyond redoing it, but I'd like to know WHERE THE HECK DID IT GO!!! I mean, it just simply disappeared!
So there's that. The pills will be here in a few days. I'll take them through the fall and winter, and then hopefully, by spring, I can STOP that nonsense. Perhaps she's guessing that I have Seasonal Affective Disorder. Gee, you think? It's only been raining for a week!
I didn't have to go for a stress test (didn't want to anyway). But doctor says perhaps an anti-depressant is in order.
Another pill?
What is it about these doctors these days? Since when does an anti-depressant help with stress?
So I'm feeling like I'm beating my head against the wall. Stress is wanting to choke the life out of someone else and not being able (or truly willing) to do so. That's the "beating your head against the wall" part.
So, a friend of mine, who is infinitely more "employable" than *I* apparently am, and who really is a good friend of mine, is looking for a new position. I told him to TAKE ME AWAY (sort of like Calgon bath salts, but really a lot better). So we'll see what happens there. The positions that are open for me are either things where they take advantage of you, or it's all phone, or all typing. Honestly, this job wouldn't be so bad, if there weren't SO much to it. So much to know. So much to remember.
I've already made a mistake and I don't have any idea how to fix it, beyond redoing it, but I'd like to know WHERE THE HECK DID IT GO!!! I mean, it just simply disappeared!
So there's that. The pills will be here in a few days. I'll take them through the fall and winter, and then hopefully, by spring, I can STOP that nonsense. Perhaps she's guessing that I have Seasonal Affective Disorder. Gee, you think? It's only been raining for a week!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
I Am SO Not Excited
And it would appear that I just can't hide it either.
I have a doctor's appointment today, and from thence, a stress test.
It's the stress test that my dreams are telling me--
You are NOT looking forward to this. Because if they do to you what they did to you the last time, you are doomed. Doomed, I tell you.
The dream was about talking with personnel, and getting told that if I behave like this again at the office, that I'll be fired. Just like that--no care, no concern--just lots and lots of undeserved stress and freaking out, and then freaking out about losing your job, and then freaking out because you're being followed by some strange man because you have no clothing and you're walking around, hunting for your car, wearing nothing but a tarp over you, scared that this guy is a serial killer or something.
And crying...lots of crying. And now, shaking like a leaf as I write this.
And my chest is just bursting--all because I'm worried about this stress test and I'm not talking about the test where they put you on a treadmill and make you walk uphill for a while to get your heartbeat up to so many beats per minute. The last time I did this test, I couldn't complete it. I got my heart rate up, but not high enough, so they did a chemical test on me.
And THAT'S the stress test I cannot do again. I simply cannot. So I MUST do the treadmill, or I might just die right there on the table.
I am stressed out. I am shaking. Physically shaking. Terrified.
And of course, the work situation doesn't help matters. Yet no one even notices that I REALLY NEED TO RETIRE. I REALLY NEED TO GO ON A MEDICAL RETIREMENT.
My husband thinks I'm acting stupid. My therapist thinks all I need is an anti-depressant. My doctor thinks I need anxiety medicine. I think I need to get away from the stress, and everything will settle back down to normal.
And of course, dwelling on it all is making it worse, but what else could I think about? Oh, gee, let's see. I could think about how my social security isn't so secure anymore. I could think about how my 401K is dropping like a stone and lost more money than I've been able to put in. I could think about my family, and how their situation is. I could think about how Jesus is coming, and I'm not ready. I could think about how the house needs a good vacuuming, and because of the stress, I can't do much by the time I get home except to sit quietly and knit. I could get angry that I didn't put enough milk in my oatmeal this morning, and so it's sticking to the roof of my mouth. I could think about the walk to work in the rain. I could...well, you get the picture. Top to bottom, I am stressed. A big rubber ball on the rocky precipice, just waiting for the next breeze.
Big, deep breath. Another.
Nope. Still not ready to go in to the office. But go I must.
I have a doctor's appointment today, and from thence, a stress test.
It's the stress test that my dreams are telling me--
You are NOT looking forward to this. Because if they do to you what they did to you the last time, you are doomed. Doomed, I tell you.
The dream was about talking with personnel, and getting told that if I behave like this again at the office, that I'll be fired. Just like that--no care, no concern--just lots and lots of undeserved stress and freaking out, and then freaking out about losing your job, and then freaking out because you're being followed by some strange man because you have no clothing and you're walking around, hunting for your car, wearing nothing but a tarp over you, scared that this guy is a serial killer or something.
And crying...lots of crying. And now, shaking like a leaf as I write this.
And my chest is just bursting--all because I'm worried about this stress test and I'm not talking about the test where they put you on a treadmill and make you walk uphill for a while to get your heartbeat up to so many beats per minute. The last time I did this test, I couldn't complete it. I got my heart rate up, but not high enough, so they did a chemical test on me.
And THAT'S the stress test I cannot do again. I simply cannot. So I MUST do the treadmill, or I might just die right there on the table.
I am stressed out. I am shaking. Physically shaking. Terrified.
And of course, the work situation doesn't help matters. Yet no one even notices that I REALLY NEED TO RETIRE. I REALLY NEED TO GO ON A MEDICAL RETIREMENT.
My husband thinks I'm acting stupid. My therapist thinks all I need is an anti-depressant. My doctor thinks I need anxiety medicine. I think I need to get away from the stress, and everything will settle back down to normal.
And of course, dwelling on it all is making it worse, but what else could I think about? Oh, gee, let's see. I could think about how my social security isn't so secure anymore. I could think about how my 401K is dropping like a stone and lost more money than I've been able to put in. I could think about my family, and how their situation is. I could think about how Jesus is coming, and I'm not ready. I could think about how the house needs a good vacuuming, and because of the stress, I can't do much by the time I get home except to sit quietly and knit. I could get angry that I didn't put enough milk in my oatmeal this morning, and so it's sticking to the roof of my mouth. I could think about the walk to work in the rain. I could...well, you get the picture. Top to bottom, I am stressed. A big rubber ball on the rocky precipice, just waiting for the next breeze.
Big, deep breath. Another.
Nope. Still not ready to go in to the office. But go I must.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
The Cowl
Loving Things That Are Bad for You...
It seems I've spent my entire life, loving things that are bad for you. It sometimes makes me wonder if life is worth living at all--and then something comes along that's really good for you, and well, you just can't get enough of it.
Take oatmeal, for example.
It really is good for you. The real stuff is easy to make in almost any amount, so you can cater to your diet accordingly. It's heart healthy. It tastes pretty good, and if you add some cinnamon, it can taste even better.
And today, because we left the milk at the grocery store yesterday, I had to run in to get said milk this morning before breakfast, because I was literally CRAVING oatmeal.
Sadly, though, oatmeal doesn't stay with me for more than 3 hours, I find. By that 3 hour mark, my tummy is rumbling angry and loud noises. As "stick to your ribs" as oatmeal is, you would think it would last longer--at least to lunchtime! But alas, I am usually munching on something else before lunch, between my meals. Sigh.
Diets Suck.
And so, I knit. My latest:
A pair of these. The pattern calls for 4" of 1x2 ribbing on 38 stitches, but these are pretty snug--next time, I'll cast on 40, repeat for 4" (I did 5") then cast off a 2 stitch buttonhole (I think 3 would have been better), and then cast those 2 back on again, and 1x2 ribbing for another 4 inches (which I did).
The entire thing is an inch too long, and not because I made the 5" change. 4" beyond the buttonhole is TOO LONG for the negative ease to "take up". So my next pair will be only 3" above the buttonhole, which will take me to my first knuckle on my hand. I had to fold these down inside. Then I snapped the picture, not realizing that Mandy decided to get in on the action. So it looks like I'm about to grab her, but really, I am several feet from her. Look how she plays for the camera! (Actually, she doesn't like the flash, so she turns all wary or shies away.)
And then, I began work on a cowl for JoAnn's. This thing is a really simple pattern, but the coloring is what makes it. The pattern is here and the yarn is held double throughout, giving the look of variegated yarn. There are some ends to weave in, but the result is pretty stunning. I made mine on 70 stitches, instead of 64. The pattern is free. The yarn is at JoAnn's and during Coupon Commotion, you can get all 4 skeins for under $12. You can then make one for you and one for your sister, slightly changing the colors around so that the two aren't so much ALIKE--or you can make both the same if you happen to have a twin (I don't, but I do have a sister--a couple of them in fact, and this turned out so pretty, I may decide to make one for every female member in the family!) So I'm off to weave in ends, and then will post a picture. I'm not the most beautiful model in the world, but my husband takes terrible pictures...check out this one:
Too close to the light source, I suppose, and horribly over exposed, but you can see that I folded them over. I might just undo them when I get them back from JoAnn's to make them the proper length. That won't hurt a thing. Or I can just make another pair, as I'm sure there's plenty of yarn left--even so you can make them out of anything. Use almost any "insertion" pattern (say, for instance a cable, or a lace panel), of course, placement is key if you're going to try something like that, and I think I'd make the wrist another inch longer and increase (gusset) near the thumb, but that's just me. I don't like the way these stretch where the buttonhole is. I think the pattern needs modification, but for someone who would like a quick, easy gift, this is the pattern. It took just a few hours to make both. The cowl took me an evening, and it was FUN to watch the colors change in the fabric. I even "liked" it on Facebook. Not many patterns get that kind of attention from me.
So eat your oatmeal and get ready for church. It's that time again. Happy FALL!
Take oatmeal, for example.
It really is good for you. The real stuff is easy to make in almost any amount, so you can cater to your diet accordingly. It's heart healthy. It tastes pretty good, and if you add some cinnamon, it can taste even better.
And today, because we left the milk at the grocery store yesterday, I had to run in to get said milk this morning before breakfast, because I was literally CRAVING oatmeal.
Sadly, though, oatmeal doesn't stay with me for more than 3 hours, I find. By that 3 hour mark, my tummy is rumbling angry and loud noises. As "stick to your ribs" as oatmeal is, you would think it would last longer--at least to lunchtime! But alas, I am usually munching on something else before lunch, between my meals. Sigh.
Diets Suck.
And so, I knit. My latest:
A pair of these. The pattern calls for 4" of 1x2 ribbing on 38 stitches, but these are pretty snug--next time, I'll cast on 40, repeat for 4" (I did 5") then cast off a 2 stitch buttonhole (I think 3 would have been better), and then cast those 2 back on again, and 1x2 ribbing for another 4 inches (which I did).
The entire thing is an inch too long, and not because I made the 5" change. 4" beyond the buttonhole is TOO LONG for the negative ease to "take up". So my next pair will be only 3" above the buttonhole, which will take me to my first knuckle on my hand. I had to fold these down inside. Then I snapped the picture, not realizing that Mandy decided to get in on the action. So it looks like I'm about to grab her, but really, I am several feet from her. Look how she plays for the camera! (Actually, she doesn't like the flash, so she turns all wary or shies away.)
And then, I began work on a cowl for JoAnn's. This thing is a really simple pattern, but the coloring is what makes it. The pattern is here and the yarn is held double throughout, giving the look of variegated yarn. There are some ends to weave in, but the result is pretty stunning. I made mine on 70 stitches, instead of 64. The pattern is free. The yarn is at JoAnn's and during Coupon Commotion, you can get all 4 skeins for under $12. You can then make one for you and one for your sister, slightly changing the colors around so that the two aren't so much ALIKE--or you can make both the same if you happen to have a twin (I don't, but I do have a sister--a couple of them in fact, and this turned out so pretty, I may decide to make one for every female member in the family!) So I'm off to weave in ends, and then will post a picture. I'm not the most beautiful model in the world, but my husband takes terrible pictures...check out this one:
Too close to the light source, I suppose, and horribly over exposed, but you can see that I folded them over. I might just undo them when I get them back from JoAnn's to make them the proper length. That won't hurt a thing. Or I can just make another pair, as I'm sure there's plenty of yarn left--even so you can make them out of anything. Use almost any "insertion" pattern (say, for instance a cable, or a lace panel), of course, placement is key if you're going to try something like that, and I think I'd make the wrist another inch longer and increase (gusset) near the thumb, but that's just me. I don't like the way these stretch where the buttonhole is. I think the pattern needs modification, but for someone who would like a quick, easy gift, this is the pattern. It took just a few hours to make both. The cowl took me an evening, and it was FUN to watch the colors change in the fabric. I even "liked" it on Facebook. Not many patterns get that kind of attention from me.
So eat your oatmeal and get ready for church. It's that time again. Happy FALL!
Friday, September 23, 2011
I Didn't Think it Could Happen...
But Friday finally showed up. And it's a short day, too, so I get to leave at 4 and be home at the normal time. I think I might have a rider to ride to work with as welll, and that might even make things a lot better.
But as my brother-in-law put it so succinctly:
A bad day fishing is still better than a good day at work.
True. So True.
Nearly done with the second "glovelet". It will be done this afternoon/evening. They go pretty quick, even though they are ribbing. I knit continental for ribbing, which makes it go all the faster, but I would really like some instruction on how to move the stitches, and control them, because as I near the end of the row, the stitches like to pop off that left hand needle, and I have to fiddle with the yarn and the last of the row to maintain control.
Once done with the glovelets, I have to check the JoAnn's patterns again. I believe there's a cowl to make out of a few skeins of Vanna's, but that should go pretty fast, too.
Then CATKIN! I can hardly wait to bite into this pattern. I'll wait until Saturday to take a really GOOD look, because as I looked at it on Tuesday, I thought "OMG". I'm a little worried that it might be too much to keep track of on this puny little fried brain of mine.
And the ramps are FINALLY done at the corner, so I can shave 15 minutes off my travel time. Still have to be at Speedway at 6:30, but other than that, I'm good to go. I'm seriously excited about having a rider, because she's going to be the person I ask if she'd like to live in our basement. She's good people, and we get along really well. Since she lives alone, and SO far away, she might be willing to move 30 minutes closer. It's an option that she can choose or not, but I think she's the one I'd offer it to, if I offered it to anybody.
Well, she just messaged me a no for today's ride. So I'm going to pop into my car and head out. I hope everyone has a good day, and as Red Green says: "Keep your stick on the ice." It's a hockey reference, but with the colder weather coming, it seemed somewhat appropriate!
But as my brother-in-law put it so succinctly:
A bad day fishing is still better than a good day at work.
True. So True.
Nearly done with the second "glovelet". It will be done this afternoon/evening. They go pretty quick, even though they are ribbing. I knit continental for ribbing, which makes it go all the faster, but I would really like some instruction on how to move the stitches, and control them, because as I near the end of the row, the stitches like to pop off that left hand needle, and I have to fiddle with the yarn and the last of the row to maintain control.
Once done with the glovelets, I have to check the JoAnn's patterns again. I believe there's a cowl to make out of a few skeins of Vanna's, but that should go pretty fast, too.
Then CATKIN! I can hardly wait to bite into this pattern. I'll wait until Saturday to take a really GOOD look, because as I looked at it on Tuesday, I thought "OMG". I'm a little worried that it might be too much to keep track of on this puny little fried brain of mine.
And the ramps are FINALLY done at the corner, so I can shave 15 minutes off my travel time. Still have to be at Speedway at 6:30, but other than that, I'm good to go. I'm seriously excited about having a rider, because she's going to be the person I ask if she'd like to live in our basement. She's good people, and we get along really well. Since she lives alone, and SO far away, she might be willing to move 30 minutes closer. It's an option that she can choose or not, but I think she's the one I'd offer it to, if I offered it to anybody.
Well, she just messaged me a no for today's ride. So I'm going to pop into my car and head out. I hope everyone has a good day, and as Red Green says: "Keep your stick on the ice." It's a hockey reference, but with the colder weather coming, it seemed somewhat appropriate!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
It Gets Better...
I crocheted a hat recently for JoAnn's. Now working on a pair of "Glovelets", which is a fancy-schmancy way of saying "fingerless gloves", because they indeed---have no fingers--not even a thumb! Just a hole.
They are knit flat, and seamed. There's a little 2 stitch buttonhole. But other than a knit 1, purl 2 style rib, there really isn't much to them.
So they're sort of boring.
As soon as I finish this, I have another JoAnn's project to do--perhaps two. Then I can move on to Catkin, which is maybe a little beyond my skill level. If that turns out to be so, I might head into the knitting shop and ask for help, but I think if Yarn Harlot can do it, I can do it.
But for the glovelets, I would...do it that is.
If only not for the overtime, I might actually get some of these things done. Our office has offered 500 hours of overtime to the staff. I'm trying to get in 27 hours by next Friday. So far, I have 5. I'll do a fair number of hours on Saturday, which will cut down my WEEKEND considerably, but since I don't have a class this weekend, it's not a problem.
The only thing I don't like about overtime is that it makes me tired, which makes me ornery, which causes me to get a little "mouthy" with my husband. He doesn't understand how fried my brain gets on STANDARD time, never mind overtime. Sigh. The extra money will be nice--especially for Christmas, but the extra money for Christmas won't be necessary if my husband divorces me because I'm such a shrew for not getting enough rest!
Well, off to knit the other glovelet. Wish me luck. At least I don't have to work overtime on Friday!
They are knit flat, and seamed. There's a little 2 stitch buttonhole. But other than a knit 1, purl 2 style rib, there really isn't much to them.
So they're sort of boring.
As soon as I finish this, I have another JoAnn's project to do--perhaps two. Then I can move on to Catkin, which is maybe a little beyond my skill level. If that turns out to be so, I might head into the knitting shop and ask for help, but I think if Yarn Harlot can do it, I can do it.
But for the glovelets, I would...do it that is.
If only not for the overtime, I might actually get some of these things done. Our office has offered 500 hours of overtime to the staff. I'm trying to get in 27 hours by next Friday. So far, I have 5. I'll do a fair number of hours on Saturday, which will cut down my WEEKEND considerably, but since I don't have a class this weekend, it's not a problem.
The only thing I don't like about overtime is that it makes me tired, which makes me ornery, which causes me to get a little "mouthy" with my husband. He doesn't understand how fried my brain gets on STANDARD time, never mind overtime. Sigh. The extra money will be nice--especially for Christmas, but the extra money for Christmas won't be necessary if my husband divorces me because I'm such a shrew for not getting enough rest!
Well, off to knit the other glovelet. Wish me luck. At least I don't have to work overtime on Friday!
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