Here We Are

Isn't it a great feeling to follow through?  I really enjoy "talking" to you all through this blog and am happy I have designated Sunday as they day of communication.  In my online clothing business, it was to be my day off, but I am actually going LIVE three times today so LOTS of communicating.  Going LIVE....I thought, NEVER, but I must say I enjoy that the absolute most of all the seling techniques employed.  People from all around the country log on, say hi and shop with me.  Sometimes I have created exactly what they are looking for....what a rush that is....I have always claimed to not be a people person, but obviously that can't be true or my business would fail.  I think I am not a demanding people person.  Nearly all the ladies I have come across, and particularly those in my VIP group are lovely, caring, interesting people.  Their lifestyles are varied and their knowledge amazing.

OK this IS a knitting blog so...this week I decided I would finally attempt thrumming.  My beautiful little GS is the recipient, because his hands are little but also because he will love them.  Knitting a toddler size pair really messed with my decision of the length of the thrums.  I restarted 4 times at least and didn't choose a thrum pattern, just a regular pattern and added thrums.  Not sure if this matters.  I also chose to knit on two needles not dpns.  In retrospect that will not be my method of choice in the future as the mittens get so puffy they are difficult to seam, although the small size of them may also be a contributing factor, lol.  I can see myself getting obsessed with these.  Living in the NE that isn't a bad thing.  Once the new garage is built and my inventory has relocated, I can get inside the knitting closets and retrieve roving.

My goal is also to thin out the knitting stash.  I have so much gorgeous yarn that sits.  If I sell it at a good price, someone will love it and hopefully use it.  I have had the good fortune of being able to afford higher end yarns, not everyone can, so maybe offering it at lower prices will allow the joy to be shared.  So today I will make the second mitten to present them to my pal on Tuesday, go LIVE three times, which is about 3-4 hours of business air time and spend 2 hours in the LLR room trying to gain room.  An impossible feat at this point, lol.

I miss my Mom everyday.  She would have gne on air with me.  Our middle puppy Phineas, may not be here much longer.  He has lived his life on pain meds and now has something neurological/sinus going on.  He is on so many meds and while sometimes seems to improve, other points I fear he has stopped trying and worry about the frozen ground.  I bring him up because he loved Mom and she, him.  I take a certain amount of solitude in knowing he will be reunited with his cat, Artemus, who has been gone 5 years in April and my Mom 2 years in April.  We will not let him suffer needlessly but even as I type this the tears flow.

OK, lets get back to lightness.  Knitting goals for 2018  I hope to come pretty close to checking them all off the list.

1. Thrummed mittens for GS
2. Cowl for friend
3. Latvian mittens kit I was gifted with
4.  watchcap kit I was gifted with
5.  GS aran sweater
6.  Baby blanket for Mrs F
7.  Spiderman blanket for GS
8.  Thrummed mittens for everyone(that would be 7 pairs)
9.  Dragonfly shawl
10.

I will add to the list I am sure as I have hundreds of WIPs.

I was so excited to get a comment from Bev...a longtime knitting friend.  Bev I tried your old link, but...can you share your link?  Bev is also a knitting designer extraordinaire.

Happy New Year, Friends!  Shortly after my last entry in March 2016, we lost our beloved Mom.  It is still difficult to deal with but knowing she is with her Babe, Dad, is the only thing making it bearable.  It is odd to not have her to drop in on or call or mail little surprises to.  Mom always asked when I was going to retire and enjoy life.  Oddly, I did enjoy life.  I am a worker.  But shortly after her passing I decided I would retire.  We lost her in April 2016, and in September 2017 I officially began early retirement.  But, still being a worker, I decided to become a small business owner and am a LuLaRoe retailer.  This is a clothing line make for comfort and fashion.  I love it.  Mom would have loved it and would most likely be my biggest supporter.  I know she would have wanted to go on air with me to sell and my groups would have loved her.  So thanks Mom.  I miss you every day.

As 2018 starts my first year of retirement, I decided I wanted to try my best to get back in shape, I say back as several medical issues have deterred my gym and yoga participation, become organized and revive this blog.  With you tube being so popular I think blogs are losing their popularity.  But here I will regale you with tales of clothing, knitting and interesting tidbits.  My knitting has taken a backseat to my business.  The hours are very long but so much fun.  I have outgrown my room in the house and Kevin needs a garage for one of his many antique vehicles so a structure is being built.  I will gain lots of space which make the business much easier to run.  I have just celebrated my one year anniversary, it went by in a whirlwind.

My darling grandson is already 2 years old and has settled on calling me Shashel.  I love it!  He is inquisitive and bright and daring and social and loves most everyone and everything.  He is a character and likes taking on the persona of characters. Some days he is Tom Brady, sometimes a wrestler, sometimes a Troopie.  He loves Star Wars!!!  He also has watched very little television in his life and I feel, as a result, has the most magnificent imagination.  I am so blessed to be able to take care of him weekly.  Needless to say he thrills us all.  It is wondrous to witness your child being a parent.  DS1 and his lovely wife are busy with life and the boy and DS2 and his lovely wife are always involved in something.  My family is my joy.

I postponed my capstone project as there were medical issues and time wasn't there.  I may get back to it down the road, but right now it is not my priority.

The animals are getting on in years.  Oliver is essentially blind and Nickolas has taken on the seeing care of him.  Phineas, poor Phineas, has lost a great deal of hearing, currently has breathing issues and it seems an eye infection.  Oliver just turned 1, Phineas will be 10 in May and Nickolas just turned 8.  The cats don't seem to age at all and are very well tolerated by the puppies.

So there you have it.  The first post of the new year.  I hope your families are well and that you hug them often