Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Drained (Day 299 KEDfaY)

I knit a bit of a swatch today. I have a shawl design planned but I needed a swatch so I started that. Super exciting I know.

I forgot just how draining working retail is. I am so exhausted that it is difficult to even write this post right now since I know my bed is in the other room and right now, my bed is looking mighty tempting. Mmmm bed...

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

I got betta (Day 298 KEDfaY)



I threw up yesterday. I wasn't planning on it mind you but my dinner decided it was going to revisit me and it did and it was gross. That kinda put me in a gross mood for the rest of the day so I spent it on the couch sleeping and watching Harry Potter. I did a quick row of my mystery washcloth just so I could get some knitting in. I'm overall feeling fine except for these mystery hives on my arm. I have an idea of what might've caused them but no idea why they're still here. FUN TIMES!

Today has gone much better. I've gotten some chores done that needed to be done. I've also gotten a lot accomplished on that test knit I was talking about. It's going super well this time around with the latest version of the pattern and I don't want to jinx anything, but I think I might be able to finish it tomorrow. Above is my travel project right now. It's a sock pattern of my own design. It's one that every time I pull it out, I swear it's too big but as soon as I try it on, it fits just fine. I don't get it but whatever. It's a sock. It's a travel project. I got a lot of it done while volunteering this past weekend at the local historic home tour. The house that I got to help at was absolutely gorgeous and has my dream bedroom in it. Now to just get a house so I can replicate this.

I also worked on the sock a bit at the sheep fest I went to this weekend. It was smaller and was mostly for showing meat sheep and selling them but it was still interesting to learn about different sheep breeds outside of fiber sheep and watch them be sheared. I was of course reminded of Eddie Izzard while the sheep got their hair cut, a bit that I of course can't find right now on the internet but it is funny.

I did get some fiber while I was at the sheep fest because where there's sheep, there is fiber. I'm very excited to spin it but it's going to be a little while. I have other things in my spin-queue right now. 

But first to finish this test knit! 

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Baa (Day 295 KEDfaY)



Knitting for the day was on my Hush Hush. Starting the increases for the bust. Whoo!

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Not enough on my plate (Day 293 KEDfaY)


I started a new project today because I obviously don't have enough going on right now.

I was asked by a newbie knitter if I could meet with her and help her with her problem and so I decided to start the same blanket she's working on so I would be familiar with it. I also finally figured out how to use that rainbow scrap yarn I made! Two birds, one stone and all that. She figured out how to fix the problem she was having and I showed her how to change colors which is more intimidating than it should be for new knitters. Every time I show someone how to change colors they think I'm tricking them. Nope. It's really that simple!

I also worked on Hush Hush for a bit. I'm about halfway done with it which makes me happy. I figure I can probably get a lot done on it this weekend. Tomorrow is my second day of work and Friday night knit group and then Saturday some of my knittas and I are going to a sheep and wool fest that is a bit of a drive away so I'll have lots of car knitting time. I plan on taking lots of pictures of the various animals that they'll have so I'll probably share at least one or two. I hope to get my Hush Hush done by next weekend but I'll have to wait and see if I can. At this pace, I don't think it'll be a problem at all.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

First Day (Day 292 KEDfaY)

Today was my first day of work and I survived and they didn't fire me so it might just all work out!

And the coordinator for scheduling classes was very excited to learn that I knit and want to teach! Yay!

As for knitting goes, I got a lot of progress done on my Hush Hush. I am about 5 yards from finishing the second ball of yarn which means I need to go wind the third one. I'm guess right now I'll use 5 balls of yarn which means I'll have an extra to do with as I please. Maybe washcloths since it is cotton, or a granny square. Hmm. But first I need to finish it so I can see how much, if any, yarn I'll have left over. But I enjoy counting my chickens before they hatch, you just have to be careful when you get a duck instead.

(No picture today because I forgot and it'll be a boring picture with little to no visible progress.)

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Fleeting freedom (Day 291 KEDfaY)


Today is my last day as an unemployed person. Tomorrow I start my job and become a productive member of society. I am excited but sad that my life as a lazy bum is coming to an end. No longer will I be able to spend my days laying in bed until just before noon. No longer will I be able to go pantsless for the whole day. No longer will I be able to decide what to work on when.

Well, not everyday at least.

Worked some more on my Hush Hush. It's coming along nicely if I do say so myself. I've also been working on the test knit and it's coming along. There are issues with the pattern but hey, that's why I'm here! To find all of the errors and things that people might misconstrue so that the pattern will be 100% awesome.

Right now, I'm going to go spend my last few hours as a free woman, so that means candy, knitting and TV of course.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Employment (Day 290 KEDfaY)



The Boyfriend's dad left this morning as the Boyfriend left for work. 

Since I was up, I decided to cash in on cheap Easter candy. And boy did I.

But since it was such an excursion that involved a lot of walking, added on to the draining weekend, I decided I deserved a nap.

Right as I was laying down for my nap, the phone rings.

I got a job.

Now it isn't ideal, it isn't glamorous or at all in my field, but it's a job and it does allow me to play with yarn regularly. I have gotten a job at a Big Box Craft Store that shall remain nameless. It's one that doesn't discriminate against people for who they are or try to dictate why they can't have birth control. I've already worked for that company and it was the worst 6 months of my life.

Nope, this is a different company. I'll be part time so plenty of time to knit and write and look for more appealing employment if it should happen to come along. I'll also have the opportunity to teach knitting and get paid for it. If you've been around a while, you'll know that I do want to teach and teaching knitting would be awesome. And getting paid would be even better. If anything else, I can start chipping away at my mountain of student loan debt. Whoo. 

In knitting, today all I've done is work on my mystery washcloth. I crocheted a couple of my squares for my blanket. I'm a few days behind on that right now after the Boyfriend got sick and then I got sick, I just fell behind. Nothing too terribly bad, just a few days of doing two squares instead of one. 

I've gotten a revamped pattern for the pattern I was test knitting so I'll continue working on that soon. And of course my Hush Hush that I'm also working on. I got a lot of progress done on it this past weekend and it's coming along nicely. Hopefully I'll get it done when I need to. I might be volunteering for a speakeasy themed party and need to dress appropriately. But I haven't heard confirmation yet so we'll see. 

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Unprepared (Days 287 and 288 KEDfaY)




I'm not usually this bad about updating but a houseguest plus getting home much later than planned and not planning ahead made it so an update last night wasn't possible. Already have gotten my knitting in for the day though. I am on it!

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Cleaning (Day 286 KEDfaY)


Spent the day cleaning for the Boyfriend's Dad's visit this weekend. Found this yarn and it was begging to be made into a granny square so I used my break times to work on it. Also tried to catch up on my mystery washcloth even though I'm still a couple of days behind. Hopefully that will be back on track by Sunday.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Exciting (Day 285 KEDfaY)


Today was an exciting day for me. I had a job interview. For those keeping count at home, this is only my second job interview since moving to Florida so it was very exciting. And then I had the interview and it went REALLY well. I should know by Friday whether or not I got the job but I hope I do. It would be so amazing in so many different ways if I got this job. But right now, I just need to wait and see.

Today I finished the baby blanket. It should've gone out in the mail already but with the Boyfriend being sick, me doing a test knit and then me getting sick, it took a back seat. It's done now though and just needs to be mailed out. I am now waiting to hear back about some questions I had about the test knit I'm working on. I also have catch up to play for both my mystery washcloth and my square a day blanket. I'm 5-6 days behind on those right now. Between the Boyfriend and I getting sick, my schedule is all sorts of messed up.

But hopefully everything will work out. Hopefully I will get this job. It's not glamorous but it's a job and I definitely need something right now.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Monday, April 14, 2014

Blech (Day 283 KEDfaY)


Look at all that progress. One whole stitch. I know, I can't grasp it either.

Had another day of laying on the couch and feeling miserable. Headache, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, nausea. The works. So my motivation is gone. And I have a lot to do this week so it's frustrating. But that always seems to be when it happens, right?


Sunday, April 13, 2014

Yuck (Days 281 and 282 KEDfaY)

It seems like I've caught what the Boyfriend had.

Here's my knitting from yesterday and today.


Thursday, April 10, 2014

Volunteering (Day 279 KEDfaY)


I'm cruising right along on my test knit and as of right now the only thing I can say about it is that my cat really likes laying on it. I don't think that gives away what I'm knitting.

In other knitting news, I've swatched for a new project that I want to do as soon as I finish this test knit and that baby blanket which really should've gone in the mail today. I think the mother-to-be will understand though why her blanket might be late.

I've also been in contact with a local historical preservation group and have signed up to volunteer with them. The first two gigs are basic take tickets at events or count heads but once that's done, I'm going to be working on a big research project for them. I described it to the Boyfriend, who is alive and well and no longer flu-ish, and he said it sounded boring but I think it's going to be very exciting because I really like research projects. And maybe, just maybe, it will turn into a paying job at some point. Or maybe I'll meet someone who likes my research skills and will hire me. Networking! WHOO!

Right now though, I gotta tackle this test knit. I wish I could show pictures because it is ridiculous in all of the fantastic ways fun knitting projects are.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

How rude (Day 278 KEDfaY)

The Boyfriend is still sick. This is an extremely rare occurrence. Usually when he's sick, he just sleeps for 16 hours and then is fine. But this time he's been sleeping and still doesn't feel well. I all but spray him down with Lysol before touching anything he has touched. I would like to not get sick. Not being sick is fun.

We went grocery shopping today because while Boyfriend is sick, we were super low on food. And "we" went because I still can't drive his manual car even though I'm slowly learning. So I went about my grocery shopping while he sat in the car. Shopping was completely normal until I went to put my final items on the conveyer belt and the man behind me, who smelled of cheap, stale beer, started putting his on there too. I honestly didn't care. I was more concerned about letting the cashier know I had two 10 packs of Gatorade in my cart. I go to put a stray can of chili on the belt and the cheap beer man apologizes. I returned with my go-to phrase when someone apologizes, "You're fine."

"And you're pretty cute yourself," washed over me in a wave of stale beer and cheap pickup lines. Frazzled and confused, I just awkwardly smiled and ignored him for the rest of my transaction and rushed out to the car.

The Boyfriend noticed something was wrong when I got in and looked noticeably rattled.

I don't rattle easily. I have been hit on by so many guys who are old enough to be my father that I am used to it. Or so I thought. Hours later, I still keep thinking about that creepy guy and how he was either trying to hit on me or was trying to compliment me and failed. Either way, I do not approve of what happened.

In knitting, I've only gotten the mystery rows for today done. Been busy walking back and forth across the apartment to check on the Boyfriend. Tomorrow I hope to get the first part of the test knit done. Gotta look through my yarn stash though and see what I can come up with that will work.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Sick (Day 277 KEDfaY)


The Boyfriend woke up this morning and was being slower than normal getting ready. He sat down at the end of the bed to put his shoes on and said that he didn't feel well.

Now, I don't feel well regularly. It might be because I'm really in tune with my body or I eat stuff I shouldn't or I'm just special. It's not uncommon for me to not feel great or have a headache or something.

The Boyfriend on the other hand rarely doesn't feel well so when he announced this morning that he didn't feel great and that he might come home early, I was surprised.

I had lunch plans today with one of my new knitter friends. Me, her and her husband went to a great local restaurant and had delicious lunch and did tequila flights. I learned all about tequila and mezcal today and it was an enjoyable outing all round. And then I came home and found the Boyfriend's car in the parking lot.

I've never thought I'd be a good mom. There are some people who you just know they'll be great parents but I never thought that way. What little maternal instincts I have though, kick into overdrive when the Boyfriend is sick. So I've been playing nurse all evening. Luckily there is a lot of downtime so I got caught up on my shows from last night and worked on my daily projects and have done a few rows of the test knit.

Now my only mission is to not get sick as well.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Yet again (Day 276 KEDfaY)

I'm doing another test knit. This one is really cool! And guess what! I can't show you a damn thing! I'll say that I learned something new so far and I'm pretty excited about it. But that's all you're getting from me about it.

In other news, I've started a Citron shawl because I like shawls. I found this great yarn at one of the Big Box Craft Stores. It's bright and obnoxious and will pair wonderfully with some of my new dresses I bought. It'll be the perfect accessory to throw in my bag so I can wear when I go from 90* outside to 70* inside. It has taken a back seat though while I get this test knit done ASAP. I have that baby blanket to finish too. I'm much closer to finishing that than I expected to be.

Let's see, what else?

I got some great advice on some new places to apply for one of those "job" thingies. I have sent out emails and have begun hoping that I appeal to someone enough to at least get an interview. You know things are a bit messed up when I'm just hoping for an interview. A job would be lovely but since I've only had one interview that ended with never hearing back about the position or whether or not I was right for the position, I'll take just an interview.

I think that covers it for now. Gotta get some more knitting done on this test knit. Deadlines and such.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Hot hot hot. (Day 272 KEDfaY)

Today I went shopping! I bought some new clothes because my large wardrobe is overkill in this hot Florida heat. Seriously, we've already had a couple of 80* days. So instead of melting all summer, I got a couple of cute sundresses that will hopefully prevent me from going all Wicked Witch of the West.

Knitting was minimal again. Just did my two rows of my washcloth. I've felt really tired today, unusually tired for what I did. I am afraid I might be getting sick but I'm hoping that it's just a combination of not sleeping well and allergies. Add the general lack of energy with break month at HPKCHC and I don't want to start anything that I might not get points for because now that I can be granted imaginary points for completing things, I don't want to start anything new.

I have started planning my next big project and no it isn't working on my very sad and lonely vest that is still sitting in a bag, very lonely like. It's going to be a pi shawl out of yarn that my aunt got me for Christmas. I think it's going to be a more plain one because I'm not THAT lacy of a person. I have the idea worked out, I just need to do a swatch or two and see how it all works up. I'm very excited about it though. And it should be perfect knitting for the impending summer that I fear will be unbearable and disgustingly hot. A silk, laceweight shawl? Yes, I do believe it will be perfect.

No picture today because I am lazy. So there.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Headache (Day 271 KEDfaY)

Today's knitting was just the mystery knitting. Nothing too exciting yet, just set up rows.

I did crochet quite a bit today. I have the body completed for a Mr Meeseeks that I'm doing for my lovely co-writer Austin. Just need to do arms, legs and a face.

But right now I am going to go shower and go to bed. My nagging headache that started when I was at knit group has just gotten worse as has the cough. I blame the pollen coating everything and hoping it's just allergies and nothing more.


Tuesday, April 1, 2014

What a twist! (Day 270 KEDfaY)

Last night was the How I Met Your Mother series finale. I was excited about it. I've been watching the show for the past few years after finally watching it on Netflix. It wasn't anything groundbreaking but it was a fun show and I enjoyed watching it.

I've really enjoyed this past season. It was different. Sure they crammed a lot into a few episodes but I felt that it wrapped everything up well. It made me more excited for the series finale.

I came out of the finale last night after crying at random moments thinking, "Wait. What?" The audience has watched this show for years and then the Mother is more of a footnote than anything else. For someone who was so important to the story, she is hardly mentioned.

It was one of those times where I with the episode had ended three minutes earlier. Or just differently.

Anyway, that's enough of me complaining. Other than the last three minutes or so, it was a lovely finale for the series.

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Knitting today was the mystery washcloth for April! Whoo!