Puffy

TGIF, huh?

Ludi started a new (earlier) schedule at work this week, and we're feeling the effects. I like to get up with him so I don't waste half a day sleeping late (and then have trouble falling to sleep that night), but getting up at 6am is pushing it. It's still dark! Bah. We'll get used to it, but this week has been tough. Very glad that it's Friday and it's the weekend! With his new earlier shift, he also now has Saturday and Sunday off instead of Sunday and Monday. Yay! I think I'll like that part.

I've been working on more puffs. Gosh, I just love these. I can't get enough of them. I wish I could go and buy a whole bunch of new yarn just for these. LOOOOVing them.

Here are the two that weren't in the other photo, that I said I would show you, once the sun came out and I could take a decent photo. It's sunny today, so here you are!

too close?

It's hard to see, isn't it? It's a snowflake. I shouldn't have been right on top if it with my camera, I guess. That and this close up really shows how terrible my duplicate stitching skills are. whoa. Just squint at it.

Better?

Ursa Minor

This one's a little better, easier to see. A very clever person made up some constellation patterns for us to put on our squishy lovey little puffs. Here's the Ravelry link if you'd like it. I just love that too. It reminds me of Cherry Springs, stargazing with friends.

I heart stargazing.

I hope you all enjoy your weekend! It's supposed to be nice and sunny here, so we will be enjoying it.


xxx

To Do List

Now that I'm on "vacation", I have loads of time on my hands.

I like to say that I'm on vacation, rather than saying I'm unemployed. It's less traumatic.

When I realized I wouldn't have to go to work every day, I almost immediately began compiling a list of things I could do around the house that I haven't really had time to do (or the desire, either!).
anyways,

I could:

• clean - in addition to the normal dusting and vacuuming, the kitchen hasn't been thoroughly cleaned in quite a while. Neither have the floors in our entry and bedroom. Oh, and the mini-blinds everywhere.
• organize the living room closet - it's become a dumping spot for a bunch of things that we don't know where to put. It's not quite to the point where things fall off shelves if you open the door, but it's almost there. Definitely need to make time for this!
• organize the closet in the Mac Room - it's worse than the living room closet.
• visit the farmer's market again - more tulips, please?
• knitting/hooking time - yippee!!! LOVE that I have more time for my obsession hobby now.
• read - I think there are 3 books on the shelves that I haven't had time to read yet. Now is the time, right? That is, if I can put down my knitting needles...
• sew something - I've been meaning to borrow Ludi's mother's sewing machine. I used to sew often, and I miss having my own machine. I could make some shading curtains for our balcony (it gets WAAAY too hot in the summer to enjoy sitting out there), or some pillows...I've also wanted to try quilting for a while. I could think of a million things to sew. And so many cute ideas online.
• Study more Dutch - I need to get my Dutch to a higher level in order to find a better job, so I need to make time for this, huh? Read Dutch books, watch Dutch tv, find lessons online, something. Anything!

My options are limitless, almost. Time enough for everything.

I would rather have a job to go to, and get paid for, though.

Maybe I could sell some of my finished knitting and crocheting projects. So many people make things and sell them online, why can't I be one of those folks? I look through etsy.com all the time and think to myself "I could make that!". There are some gorgeous things on there that I probably could never come close to producing. But there are also some on the other end of the spectrum, and some nice things in between. What do you think? Would anyone buy any of the things I've posted here? And what about copyright? I do not make up my own patterns, for the most part. Would I be allowed, legally, to sell these things? I will have to do some research on that.

I also have more time to blog now. Aren't you glad for that?

Now to start that list...


let's start with bullet #5.


xxx

It feels like Friday.

But it's Wednesday!

I suppose it is because I am now on vacation. yay! Well, just a little one. The company I work for is on The Netherlands' version of Spring Break now. Normally the office people (I am one of the Office People) would stay there and continue working while the students are off. But this time the big boss said we were all off.

YES SIR! He didn't need to tell us twice!

Well, actually he did, because we weren't sure we understood correctly. But we did, and we're now off. For a week and a half. About. My next day back is March 15th. NICE.

I'm going to enjoy it, I think! I have plans. I am going to do some spring cleaning. The kitchen and bathroom really need a deep cleaning. Wouldn't it be great if the weather would cooperate and it would get a little bit warm, so I could open the windows and get some fresh air in? I'm pretty sure I won't be quite that lucky. Just some sun will be enough!

I also plan to do some hooking. Of course. Oh, and I have a new hobby/addiction:

my first knitting stitches 

I've been wanting to learn how to knit for a while now, ever since I started hooking. I decided this was the year to learn it. I've started my first project too! I'll take some photos when the sun comes out and show you.

It was only a matter of time, right? Before I made the jump from crochet to knitting? And then the jump to a yarn stash so big I could open my own shop.

hee hee, just kidding, Ludi.



or am I??????


xxx

Rough week

I'm having a rough week at work. Well, more than a week really. 2010 was a very difficult year, and it's not looking like this year will be much better. There were more staff changes this week. The last ones made (in the first half of the year) didn't bother me as much as these. Going to work is now depressing.

I'm very happy that I am still employed. But I can't help but wonder for how much longer?  Time will tell.

Anyways, I was working on a new hooking project over the weekend. Looky!

new slippers!

I found a pattern for crocheted adult slippers online (most of them out there are kids sizes) that looked fairly easy. I had some extra yarn laying around (well, actually, I recycled it from The Legwarmer Fiasco), so I gave it a shot. These were done with three strands of yarn for extra warmth. And they are great! I was easily able to size them to fit my huge boat-like feet too. +1 to patterns with easy adaptations! They are actually big enough to wear extra socks with them, for those extra cold nights. NICE!

How's the weather where you are? Ours is improving. It's gotten warmer and is raining, so now the snow is gone. The ice underneath the snow is taking much longer to melt though. Hopefully by this weekend it will all be gone and I won't have to walk like a penguin anymore! And even more hope that we don't have much more snow for the rest of the winter. Just a flake here and there is ok, but no storms. We've had enough, thanks!


Did I just jinx us? eeks...



xxx