A Simple Woman's Daybook

I haven't written here in a long time so I thought I'd start with something simple to ease me into writing on my blog again.

From a Simple Woman's Daybook:

FOR TODAY
December 16, 2009...

Outside my window...
it's a cold day (currently 27F) with flurries

I am thinking...
about making plans for Christmas and New Year's. Also, my birthday is Friday. This time of year I'm reflective about life and where it's going

I am thankful for...
for my partner and my cats.

From the kitchen...
haven't been doing much in the kitchen lately. We've been mostly eating out. I'll have to change that soon.

I am wearing...
black pants and a print shirt (blue, black, green, etc)

I am creating...
always have several projects in process. Current main ones are the Gypsy Shawl and a bead crochet necklace.

I am going...
to get my flute out this weekend and play some carols.

I am reading...
On my Kindle "Casting Off" by Nicole R. Dickson - it takes place on one of the Aran islands and incorporates knitting and spinning in the story

I am hoping...
to write more often in this blog. Just ordered a book of journal prompts from Amazon.

I am hearing...
listening to Christmas music, of course (I start just before Thanksgiving)

Around the house...
not doing much in the way of Christmas decorations this year. Have four mini trees in the living room.

One of my favorite things...
this time of year, I like to snuggle under a blanket with my knitting and the cats and watch Christmas movies

A few plans for the rest of the week...
a party Friday night with partner's business associates. Parting Glass on Saturday to see Jeff Strange.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
my rabbit Eggbert (passed on 9/13/2001). Picture taken in December 1996:

Website is back

My website is back up.

kimknits.net is down

My website is down. I'm still not sure why but am working on it.

More later.

Posting now and then

I've been working on the Oregon Shawl. I'm on the last rows before I start the edging. There's not much to post about since every post would be "I've done a few more rows so it's a bigger blob". I'll post a picture when I've done some edging.

I have a sinus infection so I've just been hanging around the house this weekend. Joined Netflix again a couple of weeks ago. I really like the watch instantly feature. So far this weekend, I've watched "Persuasion" and "Sense & Sensibility". Yeah, it's all Austen all the time!

I'm meeting up with a friend next Friday to do some knitting and spinning. It'll be a nice afternoon.

I updated my website so that the front page contains links to my Twitter, Delicious and Ravelry pages.

25 Random Things About Me

As posted on Facebook:
1. I have 2 cats. I would have more but have found that 2 is enough for me to handle. I had 4 for a while and was constantly cleaning.

2. I hate housework. I always feel like there are so many things that I would rather do.

3. Last year I got rid of about a quarter of my stuff. I plan on getting rid of more this year. Less clutter means the housework is easier.

4. I prefer dark chocolate over milk chocolate.

5. I went to Ireland in 2004. Loved it. Hope to go back there soon.

6. I started playing Runescape last year (an online multiplayer game). It's less gory than the other online games. It sucks up a lot of time but it feels like an escape.

7. Can't wait to retire. I hope to retire when I'm 56. I like my job but would like more control over my time.

8. When I retire, I plan doing some volunteer work and spend lots of time on my hobbies.

9. I have a lot of hobbies - knitting and jewelry making are the main ones.

10. I also like to do stained glass but haven't done that in a while.

11. I read at least one book a week (mostly fiction).

12. I played flute in college. Would like to pick that up again.

13. I'm a computer programmer for New York State.

14. I've worked for New York State for 25 years.

15. I'm allergic to onions.

16. I don't watch much TV. For the few shows that I do watch, I tivo them so that I don't have to watch the commercials.

17. I like watching movies but won't watch any with violence in them.

18. My favorite color is purple.

19. The farthest west I've been is Denver, Co. I went there in 2007 for a Lace Knitting Conference.

20. I love the fall. Always have more energy that time of year.

21. I don't like the summer because of the heat.

22. Up until last year, I used to drink about 2 cans of Pepsi a day. I now have 1 or 2 per week. I drink mostly water now.

23. I love watching wildlife (birds, squirrels, etc) and will often go to the park to bird watch during my lunch hour when the weather is nice.

24. I've lived in the Albany area since I graduated from college.

25. I love music. I listen to mostly celtic, country and rock. I have over 70gb of music on my mp3 player.

Snow

PictureMail
Originally uploaded by kimknits126

Here's a picture of my car before it was dug out this morning. What you can't really tell by this photo is that on the far side is a small snowbank that was created by the snowplow. The storm yesterday dumped snow, then ice and then snow again. It is starting to melt a bit with the warm sun and the temperature near 30F.

I stayed home yesterday because of the storm. Today, I have a stomach bug and am not going anywhere. Another day to hang out with the cats.

Peacemaker

free enneagram test

Step by step

Step by step
Originally uploaded by kimknits126

I'm on the second repeat of the center on the Oregon Shawl (16 rows/repeat). Only 11 more repeats to go!

I'm going to a concert tonight so I should get a few more rows done. I'm seeing Chris Smither at the Linda. I saw him last year at the same venue so I know it'll be a great concert.

Some comments about yesterday

Yesterday was Inaugeration Day here in the US. I was very glad that they let us watch it at work. It was very inspiring and I felt at the time like it was one of those times that I'll remember where I was when I saw it.

Obama has a lot on his shoulders. Our country is having a lot of economic problems right now. I pray for him. I hope that he helps the country.

I also remember when I went to the James Taylor concert that was held for Spitzer's inaugeration. We were feeling so much hope that day and Spitzer turned out to be a disapointment.

I'm hoping that Obama does not let us down.

Look what I started

Look what I started
Originally uploaded by kimknits126

Oregon shawl
pattern by Joan Schrouder


During November 2004, I started knitting the Oregon shawl. I worked on it on and off for the next couple of years. While I was working on the outer edge, one of my cats snagged a thread from the middle and pulled it really hard. It created a hole and I didn't know how to fix it. I have since thrown it away.

When I went to Webs a couple of weeks ago, I bought yarn to do the shawl again. I started it this past weekend. I really like the yarn and am enjoying the pattern.

The funny thing is, while working on the first few rows, Molly decided to start playing with my row counter and caused some dropped stitches. I was able to recover them.

If I could just keep the cats away from this shawl, I think I'll do all right. lol

Plurk!

Click to Plurk

It's Always Nap Time

It's Always Nap Time
Originally uploaded by kimknits126

Here's a picture of my Fritze. She's on her fave napping spot - my lap. She'll be 20 this year and gets very grumpy when disturbed during her nap time.

Look What I Did on the Weekend

Look What I Did on the Weekend
Originally uploaded by kimknits126

It's a beaded knitted bracelet. I got the kit from earthfaire.com (I'll add the link later). It was easy and fun. I also did a second one but will post the pics tomorrow.


Edit: EarthFaire

Happy New Year!

We went to Trader Ed's last night for dinner and music. We left soon after midnight. It was a laid back kind of night, which I enjoy. And I like the fact that the restaurant is only a few blocks from my house.

I worked on the Berry Pi. It's a nice mindless knit. The pattern is Pi are Square by Elizabeth Zimmerman. The yarn is from Eastside Weavers, which I bought last year at BeauKnits in Cohoes.

My phone died on Sunday :( I now have a replacement phone but I lost a lot of pictures and now have to load a lot of software. Before I take any more pictures, I'm looking for some backup software.