I am so tired…maybe

I’m three weeks into my internship. Where the heck did time go? I am tired and frustrated by this experience, but I’m not as tired as I like to think and am really enjoying it. How’s that for contradictions?

I’m tired because I get up at 5am so I can get in a short 20 minute workout, eat, get myself together, get the child together, and sometimes drop her off at day care before I leave. (No, I don’t leave her at home on the other days. The Husband drops her off). All that to get to my rotation at 7:30. I spend most of the day on my feet, running around like a mad woman and not eating. Yeah, I lost 3 pounds in the first 2 weeks because I couldn’t figure out when to eat during the day. That’s getting better, thankfully. I come home, make and eat dinner, get the child to bed, do homework for about 30 minutes, watch 5 minutes of TV with the Husband, and then go to bed between 8:30-9:00.

It sucks.

I have to go to bed early so I can get up early, but then I don’t seem to get homework done. Thankfully, I had the brilliant idea to keep getting up at 5am on the weekends. This means I don’t have a screwy schedule and I get used to these hours AND I have 2-3 hours on the weekends guaranteed to get work done. That and my in-laws have taken the child a bit. Although, right now I feel overwhelmed. As soon as I get something done and feel accomplished, I turn around and have 5 more things due. *sigh*

Oh my goodness, my life is dull. BUT I just have to get through 10 months and all the schedules will be different. In theory. Oh please, don’t have a rotation where I have to get up at 3am.

In the meantime, I haven’t gotten much non-school things done, but this is okay. I did knit a few items over the summer and I used up 4 skeins! I went from 70 to 66 and have more stash-busting ideas! Is it bad that all my projects right now are chosen for their stash-busting properties? I don’t think so, because I do like the projects I have selected on top of stash busting. Of course, there may be a yarn festival coming up soon which could potentially mean more yarn. No, I will be strong.

What else? I’m currently making oatmeal bars, muffins, and egg things to act as quick, on-the-go breakfast items to streamline my mornings. That, or I’m procrastinating by baking. Still, I do need to do it, which is what I’m telling the Husband. Don’t tell him it’s really procrastinating.

Small Frustration

I went to the second knitting night at my local library last night. I really enjoyed it, despite Yarnkettle not being able to attend. I think I lost the knitting bug a while ago and this group makes me want it back. So, yay!

That said, a woman showed me a shawl pattern and I am DYING to make it. It was gorgeous and I’m pretty sure I have enough yarn in the stash. Unfortunately, I can’t find it. So I’m putting it out there and maybe one of you know what it is.

She called it a butterfly shawl but it had no butterflies on it. Maybe the shape is called butterfly? Anyway, it had two colors, but wasn’t striped. It had a shape sort of like this:

(image from Artesian on Ravelry)

but the yarnovers were stockinette stitch and in the second color. More similar to

(image from Triangle Shawl by Patons on Ravelry)

but that’s the wrong shape.

Anyone have any idea what I’m talking about? Help!

FO: Slouchy Beret

Pattern: Star Crossed Slouchy Beret
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted

Just missed Friday, but I figure if I haven’t gone to bed yet it still counts as day 8! AND FO Friday! Haven’t had one of these in a while.

I made a slouchy beret! Like 2 years ago! I’m really far behind on finished object posts!

Was this hat a sad attempt to be in style? Maybe, but I think saying “in style” disqualifies it from ever being trendy.

This one was frustrating to make simply because I didn’t trust the pattern. Trust the pattern, people. The yarn was/is so yummy and nice to work with. I’m 99% sure I used Malabrigo yarn, but apparently, I didn’t write it down in Ravelry and I am not searching my stash for it at 11:57 at night.

I do like the hat, though it took a while to get used to it. It just doesn’t feel as secure as a “normal” hat feels, but it doesn’t fall off so I consider that a win. It is surprisingly warm, which was much loved this winter.

It’s late and my thoughts apparently are like an old wire. Hat was made. Stop. It is warm. Stop. Go to bed. Stop.

Of course, a little someone likes the hat, too.

People Person

I am not a people person. I am more than happy to be left on my own to do my work and never talk to anyone. This worked pretty well when I was a programmer. Admittedly, I had to leave my office to attend client meetings or train clients, but any aloofness displayed by yours truly could be attibuted to wacky programmer eccentricities.   Not that I was bad at the people part, I was, in fact, quite good, but it was something I had to work up to and it took a lot of energy to act the social butterfly.

Quit your programming job and become a nutritionist who works with people? Of course! Why not! Great idea!

This post is not about my career change, however, it’s about knitting. When I started knitting, I wanted to be part of a knitting group. They seemed like fun and a great way to learn. Rather than cause anxiety by going to a local group, I made one out of my friends. It’s been fun for years, but it was time for something new–the knitting club at the library. 

I always see the sign at the library that an upcoming Tuesday has the knit club, and I always think that I should do it. Usually, I see it the day the club is meeting and I have plans or the Husband is out and I have no child care. Sometimes I see it and completely forget about it. This time, I saw it days in advance and actually remembered to put it on my calendar. I called my bestie, Yarnkettle, because I may be willing to join a group of knitters I don’t know despite the fear it causes, but I will damn well try to have a touchstone so I don’t feel completely like a fish out of water. Or an introvert out of the safety of her home.

Tuesday approached and I grabbed my knitting bag, kissed the Husband and OP goodbye, and drove over to the library. I was so nervous. I walked into the community room to find two little old ladies knitting. I sat down and started knitting. And panicking. Another little old lady came in and another. They all said “hi,” admired my yarn, and just started talking. Eventually Yarnkettle arrived and I breathed a little easier. I found the night enjoyable  without her, but she made it better. I found that two hours with (mostly) complete strangers flew by. I listened and contributed as these ladies talked about knitting, life, technology, and crazy people. Surprisingly, I loved every second. There was no pressure to be anyone or do anything. All I had to do was be nice and knit. I plan to go back next month and its already on my calendar. I’m glad I went. It ended up being a good life lesson. People aren’t scary, they can be a lot of fun and I may even enjoy being with them. I need to remember this feeling next time I think about trying something that scares me, it may turn out better than I fear.

FO: Flower Hat

Pattern: OP’s
Yarn: Cascade 220
Needles: US 7

Still way behind on finished object posts, but here’s another for FO Friday!

The colors are weird in this shot.

First let me start by saying this is 90% my daughter’s design. OP wanted a hat with flowers. She picked a flower chart from several given to her and chose the colors. I used double knitting to give her two hats in one (and because I had never tried it). I did ask her to change from blue and green to a combination because I’m old and the two were way to similar for my elderly eyes.

The reverse side and more accurate representation of the colors.

Double knitting was interesting. I love Fair Isle and thought it would be just as easy and fun (Yes, I find it fun. I’m a geek), but it was a headache. I did start to get it down and after a while it wasn’t so bad. I’d even do it again.

The fifth time I cast on.

Sadly, the child doesn’t wear it much. Before I could finish it, she was given another hat and that became her favorite, which is fine. The other hat is cute and I did knit the flower hat a little big so she could grow into it. When it is really cold, she does pull the flower hat out (two layers of knitting it is WARM) and I have been known to steal it on occasion. Hey, she stole Maluka so it is only fair.

It should be noted that the child has recently been sold to gypsies because she asked that I make her another hat. One that is purple and pink with all kinds of things that start with ‘P’ on it.