Finally!

Well, I've finally finished the deadline project I was working on.  Okay, I actually finished it on Sunday, but it's been busy around here.  I can't share any of the details yet, but boy am I glad to have it done and out of my life!

So now it's time for me to get started on the other deadline project that I have.  It's a vest that I'm designing for a woman, Bonnie, whose husband won it for her.

Earlier this year, I think it was February, Jay's school golf team held a golf tournament as a fundraiser.  Many individuals and businesses donated money, prizes, and/or supplies -- including me.  My contribution was a gift certificate for a golf sweater or vest, customized for the winner.  Well, the man who won it, Bob, decided that, as a thank you to his wife for supporting him in his love of golf, he would give the sweater to her.

Bonnie came to my house a couple of weeks ago, and we discussed the design details she was looking for, she selected the colors she wanted, and she told me the size she wanted it made in.

I placed the order, and it's now arrived.

Aren't these fabulous colors?!?  The variegated yarn is  Knit Picks Stroll Hand Painted Sock Yarn in the Pony Ride colorway, and the solid is Knit Picks Stroll Sock Yarn in the Agate Heather colorway.

Time to get everything balled up and start knitting.

Busy September

Well, I got back into this thinking I was finally going to have plenty of time to do it.  Was I ever wrong.

Over Labor Day weekend (I hope everyone had a great one!), I spent a lot of time on the links.  My game is finally starting to improve after being wrecked by the lesson I took, but it's still nothing great.  In addition, Jay and I went to a local Christian music festival.

The concerts were free and the acts were generally mediocre, but it was a fun way to spend an evening.

The groups that had the best musicianship were the ones whose style of music was my least preferred. Even so, they definitely had some skill.

The dancers that performed between sets were the best part of the entire festival.  Truly lovely.

Unfortunately, Jay lost his glasses at the event.  Who would take prescription eyewear that belongs to someone else?!?  We did get them replaced, but he's not nearly as happy with the replacement pair.

Jay has competed in 3 golf tournaments for the school team, and has won all of his matches.  Most of his teammates have as well, so they are currently undefeated -- Go Spartans!!

I am fortunate that I have been able to attend them all, and that it's been worth the drive.  One interesting fact that I discovered is that south of Tucson, on I-19, the distance markers and signage (except for the speed limit signs) all switches over from miles to kilometers.  It is the only place in America that I have seen metric used on all the signs.  Guess it's a good thing I paid attention to that portion of math class. ;)

When we bought our home, it came with the "builder's special" backyard landscaping -- there was none. 

To correct this, we contracted with Epifini Landscaping, Inc. to have our backyard done.  Our plan was simple -- a few raised beds, some trees, and a large patch of grass.  Epifini was only to put in the hardscaping, the sod, irrigation, and dig the holes for the trees, and they did an excellent job.  And despite the fact that we were not their only, or even one of their largest, customers, they always treated us as if we were.  I highly recommend them. 

Since we have to stay off the grass for at least two weeks, though, I won't be able to fill and plant the raised beds 'til then.  The trees are on order, but won't be in until at least January, so I'll get to plant them, too.  The pups are anxious to run and play on the grass in the sprinklers, but are being very good about staying off the grass at our request.  Thankfully, there is a dog park in town to run in, and walking trails through the neighborhood.

I'm working on a secret project, and, since there is a deadline on that, it's filling most of my time and is almost completed.  I've also got another deadline project to replace it when I finish, and the yarn comes in.  There are also several fun projects on my needles, but sadly, they are being neglected for the time being.  So, I'll get back to filling you all in on projects already completed...next time.

Well, Hello Again

I've always had a bit of a love/hate relationship with technology.  On the one hand, it's a wonderful way to keep in touch, find things I'm looking for, and, in some ways, simplifies writing.  On the other hand, it is another thing I have to deal with and, for me, a bit of a time thief.  It's the discipline I lack.  I'm working on it. ;)

I also tend to be a bit of a procrastinating perfectionist, who lives what is, to my mind, a very happy, full, and ordinary, life.

So what does that have to do with anything?  Well, when the two get together I decide that nothing much is happening, so why write about it.  So I don't.  Then, of course, it's just easier to continue not to, even when there's bunches of things going on. 

And all that to say, yeah, it's been a while.  There has been a lot happening, I'll be updating as I can, and trying to stay a little more up-to-date.  I warn you, however, that this blog may be in serious danger of becoming a cooking blog in the process.  What can I say?  There's been a lot of cooking lately.  Maybe it's the weather.

Anyway.  Storms have damaged the local dog park, so I've been setting up playdates for Gypsy, and we've been taking some early morning walks.  The sunrises have been particularly beautiful.

Jay and I spent much of the summer focused on golf tournaments, where he did okay.  No, he didn't take home the top prize, but his game improved and he had an excellent time.  After the regular, local season came to a close, Jay opted to participate in the Oakley Challenge tournament in the big city, to extend the season, and the fun, for himself by another week.

It was very well run, the course was in excellent condition, Oakley and the course were giving out some participation prizes, and his teammates were all lovely people.  It was better ball format, and Jay had the best game of his life.  Despite not finishing it.

Jay was injured on the second to last hole.  He was scooping up his ball from the moving golf cart when he fell out, landing on his shoulder.  And breaking his collar bone.  Seriously.

Unbelievably, it looked even worse a week later.

The one on the right was the first one, the one on the left was after a week of "healing".  It's doing much better now, though he's going to have to wear the brace for another 5 weeks.  And stop falling out of golf carts.
      
There is a big change around here this year.  Jay decided he wanted to attend public school this year, for the first time in his life.  He had several reasons for wanting it, so after seven long hours spread over two days that were separated by a week (it was a nightmare, but at least we didn't fall out of any golf carts!), he's now a freshman at one of our local high schools.  Go Spartans!

One of the reasons he had for wanting this change was to join the golf team.  Yeah.  Considering the fact that he can't participate in ANY sports for the next 5 weeks, and that the golf season is only in the fall, well, that's not going to happen.  Poor kid.  Maybe next year.  If he stops falling out of golf carts.

Okay, okay.  I'll stop with the falling out of golf carts.

For now.       Tee hee!

Otherwise, he's enjoying the change and doing well so far.  It's only a week in, but still...

I, however, have been spending my time baking, cleaning, baking, crafting, baking, cooking, oh, and did I mention baking?  Good thing I enjoy it.

A Little Competition

 Jordan competed in his first golf tournament yesterday.

He played one of the best games of his life, and (most importantly) had a good time while doing it.

He placed third and has the bronze medal to prove it.

In Like A Lion

March has roared in, spring has sprung, and life is very full.

After a very wet winter - the wettest I've experienced in the 15 yrs. I've lived in Arizona - the sun has been shining again, calling me outside to play.  Or just be.  Or golf, which I've been doing at least once per week (as usual), along with extra practicing at the driving range with Jordan.  I've also been enjoying some early morning and evening walks with Gypsy.  The birdsong is wonderful, and the desert is in bloom; very beautiful.  Of course, today it's raining again, but no matter.

I have several craft projects going right now, not all of them fiber related.  There's a wooden tray I'm decorating, a pillow (sewing and knitting) waiting to be stuffed, two purses in need of lining, and a needle case to be sewn.  I'm also still spinning the linen/silk blend, designing both a colorwork pullover and an aran toddler cardigan, and working on another secret project.  I haven't yet found the motivation to do more on the embroidery project I've had going for a couple of years now, but am thinking that perhaps I should make it a goal to finish it by December 31.  I also haven't yet gotten to the sweaters I'd been given, but think a goal of finishing two of them by the end of April might get things moving.

I have signed up for my first ever fiber swap.  Coggie of the High Fiber Diet Podcast has organized a "Swap the Seasons" swap on the High Fiber Diet Podcast Ravelry board.  I'm very excited!  It's a secret partner swap, and I'm really looking forward to spoiling my swap partner. :D  After all, surprising someone else with a fabulous fiber mystery package is as exciting as receiving one.

Jordan and I began the Arizona Hunter Safety Education classes last night.  He's been wanting to do this for YEARS, but we kept missing the registration deadlines.  We finally got it, though, and are learning quite a bit already.  And maybe when it's over we'll actually put it to use and do some hunting.

I'm also very much enjoying the audiobooks I've been downloading from Librivox.  It really is an excellent way to combine my love of fiber and of books, but I must admit that I miss the act of holding and reading the books.  I guess I'll just have to make some time for that occasionally, too.

Thank You

Thanks For The Gift

Thank you for the lovely gift;
You didn’t have to do it.
You have a good and gracious heart,
But then, I always knew it.

I love this, and I think of you
With fondness and with pleasure;
The gift is great, but even more,
It’s your thoughtfulness I treasure.

By Joanna Fuchs
www.poemsource.com

I wanted to say thank you to all of the lovely people who did so much to make me feel special on my birthday. Your love and friendship are gifts I will always treasure, and because of you I feel blessed abundantly.

Thank you.


Krystal Acres Awesome Alpaca Yarn in brown from the lovely Topaz, Berroco Comfort Sock in Dunedin 1814, and a set of Hiya Hiya 9" circular knitting needles in size US 1 1/2 (2.5 mm) from my wonderful in-laws, Mike and Pam.


Mini Doily Design by Patricia Kristoffersen, crocheted by my wonderful friend Chris.


A golf towel custom embroidered by my wonderful friend Ruby.


A Ping G15 driver, the choice of which was mine, but whose purchase was made possible by my wonderful mother-in-law, Sue, and my wonderful husband and son, Scott and Jay.

The gifts are lovely and greatly appreciated - almost as much as you.