Month: September 2012

episode 7 life changes when you are turning 40

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I have an Issue:  I’m turning 40, and I’m doing an emotional and spiritual housecleaning. I’m still working on my Control Journal, and talk about some goals I have for my 40th year of life.

What I’ve been reading:  I’ve been sleeping with Edgar, and I describe who he is, and why I’m sleeping with him…

Technique of the Week:  I talk about using older patterns and books to bring our skills forward. Rose Wilder Lane Book, the Complete Book of Crochet, and A Treasury of Knitting Patterns

What I’m working on:  The wedding afghan II is underway. I talked about foundation stitches in crochet. The link is to a youtube video.

Seasonal Projects:   The Reneassance Festival is going on this month. It got me to think of gauntlets and wristwarmers.. Cold air coming in makes wrist warmers a must!

This Week’s Patterns: Knitted wrist warmers, Crocheted wrist warmers, and the yoga sweater. With a tangled skein blog.

The Weekly Deal:  Crochet Pattern Central, Knitting Pattern Central, and the Drops Dress

Head on over to the facebook and Google+ pages for additional content!

Product Review:  Using a tackle box for your knitting notions.

Thanks for Listening, I’ll be back again soon with more knitting and crochet goodness!

You can find me in many places:

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Each week’s podcast will post on Saturday at 12:30 PM Central Time

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The cats are plotting against me!

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My house has been taken over by 3 domestic cats. They sleep with me, knit with me, disturb me, and demand my undivided attention. Since there are 3 of them, and they are faster on their paws than I am on my feet they are a formidable opponent!

Cat watching cat
Cat watching cat (Photo credit: gillicious)

The cats have decided that their Momma must do hourly full body massages, and they have decided that I MUST feed them little treats here and there. It is my utmost duty, to let them on my lap, whether I am recording or not…

The cats have decided that the sewing room, which I foolishly thought of as “my office” is theirs and that most of the area is their domain.

Detail of the head of a she-cat (Felis silvest...
Detail of the head of a she-cat (Felis silvestris catus) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

They insist that my entire existence be focused exclusively on them. My opinions are not necessary, and any ideas I have to the contrary are un-accommodating to their pleasure.

I am doomed.

Trumps of Doom
Trumps of Doom (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Even my knitting projects, when they allow me the time to knit, are supposed to be for them. I must knit them lovely lap robes so that they can sit on my lap with ease and comfort. They must have soft warm places to lay in sun-spots as well. The same lap robes will not do. New ones must be made…

Random design
Random design (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Their food, water, and litter chores must be done on demand. They believe that this is just tribute. And I must perform these duties with a smile, and a friendly demeanor.

Kattenbak
Kattenbak (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I am doomed, did I say that before?

The threat, the one thing that keeps me kowtowing to their every whim?

They know where the yarn stash is, and are willing to pee on it if I don’t succumb.

I’m doomed.

Louise Ann Benjamin

You can find me in many places:

Member of the Catholic Knitter’s Network

Each week’s podcast will post on Saturday at 12:30 PM Central Time

If you would like to send a private message

The iTunes link has changed, if you want to subscribe via iTunes, please click anonymousknitter on iTunes

My family member’s blogs and podcasts…

The new Webs Catalog

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I’ve wasted a morning looking at another catalog. Yes, I am guilty as charged. I think I’m in love with the webs catalog.

 

No, I lied, I know I am in love with the webs catalog.

 

There were only 2 patterns featured that were shudder worthy. In the whole catalog. I have so many want to do projects out of that catalog, that I may switch to Webs as my yarn supplier in 2013… ;o)

 

English: Yarn Русский: смесовая пряжа
English: Yarn Русский: смесовая пряжа (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In fact, I may break my own rule. The Camel Cape, on page 59 is just luscious! It’s got great drape, a sweet cable, and interesting edging. The yarn, with color gradients, looks so sweet! I may have to download the pattern, and…

 

Okay, deep breath, back away from the catalog. Put the debit card down. HOLD THE PHONE! While it can be put on a list of wants, it’s not a demonstrated need. Breathe.

 

Cashmere Cable Knit

My pulse is slowly returning to normal. It’s a good thing I had to look up the spelling of luscious, because the dictionary is covering the catalog. Okay, my blood pressure is slowly returning to normal.

BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK
BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK (Photo credit: Morning Calm News)

I’ve had my “full flight from reality” moment.

 

The cost of that particular project?

 

  1. Pattern: $2.99 pdf download
  2. Cold Spring yarn: 39% wool, 36% fine acrylic, 25% baby alpaca, 12 balls of yarn, $5.49 (discountable-whatever that means) add 4 extra balls of yarn for oopsies… 16 balls of yarn =87.64
  3. Project total? 90.83

The cost of my whole wardrobe doesn’t come to 90.83…

 

Okay, I’m swinging into depression here.  I’m trying very hard to not be a “downright mental defective” about it.

Straight Jacket
Straight Jacket (Photo credit: PhotoAtelier (Glen))

Sighs,

 

it is quite lovely. Too bad Santa is on strike at our house this year. I’d be tempted to bribe the old fat man with mittens to get this…

 

Oh well. I’m putting the catalog away, and I’m going to just get on with my day.

 

Louise Ann Benjamin

 

You can find me in many places:

 

Member of the Catholic Knitter’s Network

 

Each week’s podcast will post on Saturday at 12:30 PM Central Time

 

 

If you would like to send a private message

 

The iTunes link has changed, if you want to subscribe via iTunes, please click anonymousknitter on iTunes

 

My family member’s blogs and podcasts…

 

My life is unmanageable

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I’ve been trying to write all morning, and I have accomplished quite a bit. I’ve thrown several posts away. Meaning posts in progress. I’ve taken a shower and dressed. I’ve done about an hour of research. Sum total of my visible accomplishments? I’ve taken a shower.

Lake Okabena Sunset, Minnesota
Lake Okabena Sunset, Minnesota (Photo credit: M H Ryle)

It seems that every time I turned around, the distractions out weighed the actual work. I’m tempted to take my laptop, growing feeble in it’s old age, my knitting, and run. The reason I’m tempted to do this?

There’s a war movie playing in the next room. The dogs desperately want Mama attention, and my stress level has been steadily rising for the last hour. It seems that my brain just can’t focus today. Or can it?

I’m thinking that maybe I am focusing on the wrong things today. I write this post, with the full knowledge that I have so much to do. And yet, I am not enjoying the process of writing at this time. I’d much rather spend time outside, enjoying one of the last truly nice fall days.

Sunrise over Okabena Lake
Sunrise over Okabena Lake (Photo credit: juliaschrenkler)

I’d rather be outside, knitting.

So, rather than do some mega-intelligent work here. That’s what I am going to do this morning. I’m going to pack up, laptop, podcasting equipment, writing materials, and throw them in the stroller. I’m going to go take a walk, find a nice spot in the park, and get back to work.

I’m thinking one of the shelter houses by the lake would be a good place. Either that, or heading out to the library, and looking up some things for the book.

KsFishermen2009_lg
KsFishermen2009_lg (Photo credit: M H Ryle)

I’m going to play hooky from the lists, and go be a hooker today. Hey, there’s a couple of meetings today, and I’m thinking of going out and enjoying them as well.

 

 

 

 

 

So, I am going to be irresponsible, and I’m going to go have a bit of fun for the rest of my day!

Louise Ann Benjamin

You can find me in many places:

Member of the Catholic Knitter’s Network

Each week’s podcast will post on Saturday at 12:30 PM Central Time

If you would like to send a private message

The iTunes link has changed, if you want to subscribe via iTunes, please click anonymousknitter on iTunes

My family member’s blogs and podcasts…

Them cats, them cats

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Good Morning,

It’s a lovely day here at home, and I’m enjoying sitting here with a decent cup of coffee. I’ve been listening to an audio book as I write. This morning’s book, The Catechism is available via Audible.com and Amazon.com

The version I am listening to, also includes information on the lives of Holy People and the Saints. It’s interesting, and quite soothing. Although, if I am soothed too much more, I will start snoring on the keyboard.

I’m not quite as bright eyed as I wish I were. Last night, I was in bed by 11pm. I think I slept with 2 dogs, and 2 or 3 cats during the night. The cats behaved, I think, but one of the dogs didn’t.

Valentine is obsessed with our cats. She has decided that they are her best buddies, and that they are puppy like people. While I agree with her that the cats are cute and very cuddly, the cats don’t seem to think that they are puppies. For some reason, they resist having a large dog’s mouth descend on their whole head, jaws wide.

Of course, if someone placed something proportional around my whole head, I might have a problem with that, especially on with doggy breath involved.

So, every once in awhile last night, I was awakened by a bit of a scuffle. I’m not sure, but I kept dreaming about a giant (size of a school bus) creature attacking my head. (Could there be a theme to this?)

So, before I go grab yet another cup of coffee, I’m going to maybe go take a catless and dogless nap. Who am I kidding? They will wait for the second I place my head on the pillow, for the opportunity to snuggle. I know I know, I’m doomed.

Louise Ann Benjamin

You can find me in many places:

Member of the Catholic Knitter’s Network

Each week’s podcast will post on Saturday at 12:30 PM Central Time

If you would like to send a private message

The iTunes link has changed, if you want to subscribe via iTunes, please click anonymousknitter on iTunes

My family member’s blogs and podcasts…