The Journey of 1000 Miles

Yes. We're moved, and we all survived. Some of the highlights of the cross country junk-haul include: Skippy and I driving so long and getting so tired we were independently hallucinating (you haven't lived until you've "seen" a giant Bengal tiger crossing I-80 in the middle of Nebraska), arriving at our motel room to discover there was no handle on the toilet and being so exhausted it didn't phase us at all, we just took the lid off the tank and lifted the flapper that way, but by far, the highlight for me was spending two entire days (albeit in a confined space) with Skippy, my best and oldest friend.

The DH's job is going well, and I'm still trying to find a way to earn my keep. I've registered as a sub here in the district, and have applications in several places. We'll see if anything pans out.

I have finished some stuff, including the "Klapotis" in Kureyon 40:






















The "Po-mom-tamus" socks in Trekking XXL 147 (Christmas present for my mom):

















A ribwarmer in Reynold's Harvest Tweed Burgundy Tweed:


And, I've also done some spinning. One of the DH's students is a 4-Her and raises chickens and sheep. The DH told her I know how to spin (I love how he oversells me) and she brought a bread bag of fleece for him to give to me. I got around to cleaning some of it yesterday, and have been prepping and spinning some of it up today. The fleece is a beautiful grey with blond tips, and is spinning up really nicely with some great, subtle color variation in the singles. I am getting close to being able to say I no longer suffer from a drafting disability, and I actually had fun spinning this little bit up today (no, Emily, I didn't park and draft, I actually did it with the drop spindle. I must have been channeling my inner twit).

Wooly Carps!

My friends, the semi-annual Bitterfam trans-continental butt-hauling is officially a thing of the past. Or it will be in a couple of weeks when we really and truly pack up and haul butt for good!

The DH has landed a teaching gig in Minnesota about ten minutes from my mom's house and we are in the process of actually doing all that junk-ridding I've been thinking of getting started on for years now.

So, things will most likely be pretty quiet around here for a while. I will finish my sock pal's socks on time, and hopefully post some pics of recent FO's, but I really need to put the ole head down and organize to the best of my ability (which isn't saying much, I know!)

Wish us luck on the housing search and my quest for gainful employment...

Picture This...

So, there are a lot of things I would like to show you (including a real gem of a pattern leaflet find, and a couple of blue FO's), and the powers that be at Kodak have been contacted, so, perhaps by the end of the week.

The DH was not hired for the position he interviewed for. Back to the drawing board with ever-changing game plans. It would be nice if things could just be simple, but we all know they never are, so it's best not to dwell.

It's Official: I am Not Elizabeth Zimmermann (I know, I know, you were sure I was, but, nope!)
I have a great admiration for her innovative and creative contributions to knitting, but, I gotta tell you, I have a current project on the needles that is stockinette in the round and I. Am. So. Bored. I know I've said I like a lot of fiddle-farting around in my knitting, but, it turns out I actually need a lot of fiddle-farting around in my knitting. I need something to be thinking about. I'm knitting around and around and around and around and around and around on this thing and there is absolutely nothing to think about while I knit and knit and knit except that I miss home and I want to move back but now there are some people here that I would just have to sneak into the moving truck because I will miss them if we do end up moving. Do I really need extra time to think about all that? No, I say, I do not. So, it's a good thing the yarn is knitting up to look like a Monet painting, or I'd likely have chucked it across the room by now! Anyone have any suggestions of a pattern with major fiddle-farting that I could reward myself with upon completion of this one?

To ease the grumblemuck of the aforementioned project, and to remedy my pathetic sock drawer, I am working on a pair of Monkey socks in Jitterbug Fire. They are for me, and the first heel is turned with the gusset almost complete. I resisted the call of the Jitterbug for a while, but now that I've actually knit with it, I want to smuggle all of it out of the shop and take it home! I'd suggest you go out and get some, but, honestly, I want it all for myself, so I won't!

Group, Schmoup, Bring on the Formalwear!

Just heard from the DH that the interview portion of today is over, and he did well. Now he just has to get through the reception/dinner/informal evaluation/swimsuit competition this evening. Then, we wait. Possibly another two weeks. Oy!

In knitting/I'm a Techno-Dummy news, I tried to update my Easyshare software and again have managed to run into major problems, so, no pictures 'till sometime next week when I have the DH around to occupy the kids while I sit on the phone with tech support for an ungodly sum of hours. This may be the final nail in the coffin for this blog. My writing has been pretty lackluster of late, perhaps I need a hiatus. Time will tell.

I am working on Mrs. Feezy's other Log Cabin sock, so she is no longer Mrs. Freezy on one foot. I got quite a bit done while waiting for the software to load before it dawned on me that it wasn't loading. I just need a few more SNAFU's and it'll be a pair of socks!

What was I saying before about the decline in quality around here? Um, yeah.. I think I'll go for now.

Who's Grazing in My Backyard?

The other day, Skippy and I had a conversation that she deemed, "...the first in a series of conversations that will end with you having sheep in your backyard." What caused this pronouncement? I had shared with her that I was going to take a spinning class.

I made yarn (sort of)

And here it is:











I admit, I'm a bit drafting disabled. I blame the death-grip I maintained on the rolog. I was trying so hard not to get too many fibers together that I ended up "drafting" Great Clumps of Wool.

I think I'd be better with some practice, but I've got a few other things on my plate right now...








Like this:

Another Gardiner Yarn Works sock, solid version. This one, too, is going to be soo pretty! If you're already intrigued, go buy the pattern! It's the Autumn in Oregon sock. Go ahead. Go buy it. I'll wait...

In the biggest news of 2007 thus far, the DH has an interview for that other position in Minnesota. On my birthday. Happy Birthday to me. Actually, I view this as an auspicious coincidence. What a birthday present that would be, eh? The door back home opening wide. Please keep us in your thoughts on March 20, especially around 11:30-1:00 Central Time.

ETA: Just realized! Yesterday was my two year Bloggiversary!

Me and My Demands...

But really, is a little good news too much to ask?

There is an envelope on the kitchen counter.
It is addressed to the DH.
It is from the people he recently applied to.

Shit.

ETA: The rejection letter included a nice, handwritten Post-It that they are considering him for another position. The finger-crossing continues...

Bisy Backson

No real time to blog right now. I'm busy.

Busy waiting to hear back on the DH's job application.

Busy knitting to meet an impending (seemingly impossible, but don't worry, Chrissy) deadline.

Busy calming knock-down, drag-out, screaming tantrums.

Busy convincing myself that I don't want to knit a Clapotis from the Kureyon that's been taunting me at the shop (I mean, six skeins, sitting there all in the same dye lot and the intense saturated blue? Give me a break! you'll probably see pictures when I'm back)

Busy trying to figure out just how to structure my Finishing Techniques class this Saturday.

Busy hoping my students bring lots of questions.

I'll be back soon, but, as you can see, there's a lot on my plate at present.

Pining

If you sit down and talk to me for long enough, you will be regaled with tales of my desire to return to Minnesota. Yes, I've been pining for the land of 10,000 lakes almost since the day we left, almost 5 years ago. Life in Colorado has brought some great things into our life, don't get me wrong (two beautiful children come to mind), it's just that we are so very far away from family and (until recently) all of my friends (hi, Emily!).

This summer, upon preparing to again leave Minnesota after an extended visit, grand schemes were hatched, bold declarations were made, and grit was steeled. This will be the year. We will come home. If only it were that easy. If only deciding on a thing could make it so.

The DH has applied for a job in Minnesota, a job I know he can do, and in a field he is beyond passionate about. Now, we wait. We wait, and worry, and wish. I just want to be home.

Sorry for the mope, but any positive thoughts, vibes, whatever, would be welcome and appreciated.