Thursday, October 27, 2005
Easy Come Easy Go!
LOL! Well, I did a bit more to my scarf. I added the beads (I had the intention of doing that all along, so don't think I was trying to add something out of desperation) to my scarf. I strung them onto the eyelash fringe at the ends . They are a deep claret colored glass beads. Oh, it looks so pretty!
I had yarn (and still do) left over so I made a scarf for my friend in the east. Hers was a skinny scarf and I added the same kind of beads to that. I was so pleased. I thought, aha! I am finished, no more procrastination for me. Then, I got the phone call..."Miss Kathy? This is so & so. My sister's birthday is today and we are celebrating it at church tonight and remember, it's a surprise." I hung up the phone and looked at my girls. "Well, it's Abigail's birthday and we don't have anything to give her and I can't afford to run to town and buy something." I looked down at my friend's scarf and sighed, "Do you think she would like this?" To which, my girls enthusiastically agree.
So, I dug out a decorative gift bag, ribbon and tissue paper and started wrapping the scarf. It turned out to be a huge hit, HUGE! The other mom's were looking enviously at the scarf and I felt bad. Maybe it was too much to give to a 10 year old, but I was desperate! LOL Anyway, I have enough yarn to make my friend a scarf, I just might need more beads. So, not all is lost.
I hope to be dyeing some more wool soon, but I still have a lot to card and spin yet from this last batch. I might work on that soon, I have to help my son work on his basket weaving project and his personal fitness for his Eagle requirment. Busy, busy, busy.
I need to help with the children's studies and get a cup of coffee. Have a great day and I will try to write more later and maybe a pic of the beads on the scarf.
katcha
I had yarn (and still do) left over so I made a scarf for my friend in the east. Hers was a skinny scarf and I added the same kind of beads to that. I was so pleased. I thought, aha! I am finished, no more procrastination for me. Then, I got the phone call..."Miss Kathy? This is so & so. My sister's birthday is today and we are celebrating it at church tonight and remember, it's a surprise." I hung up the phone and looked at my girls. "Well, it's Abigail's birthday and we don't have anything to give her and I can't afford to run to town and buy something." I looked down at my friend's scarf and sighed, "Do you think she would like this?" To which, my girls enthusiastically agree.
So, I dug out a decorative gift bag, ribbon and tissue paper and started wrapping the scarf. It turned out to be a huge hit, HUGE! The other mom's were looking enviously at the scarf and I felt bad. Maybe it was too much to give to a 10 year old, but I was desperate! LOL Anyway, I have enough yarn to make my friend a scarf, I just might need more beads. So, not all is lost.
I hope to be dyeing some more wool soon, but I still have a lot to card and spin yet from this last batch. I might work on that soon, I have to help my son work on his basket weaving project and his personal fitness for his Eagle requirment. Busy, busy, busy.
I need to help with the children's studies and get a cup of coffee. Have a great day and I will try to write more later and maybe a pic of the beads on the scarf.
katcha
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
FROGGED
Yeah, I did it. I frogged the shawl. It wasn't loose enough, too heavy, and just wasn't going the way I had planned, so I ripped it all out, or "frogged" the whole thing. I am not sorry either.
I started over, this time knitting very loosely. I also went with a scarf design about 6 inches wide and 5 ft long with fringe. The places where I had to tie on yarn I left intentionally long and showing to add to the fringe. It is gorgeous! I will take a pic later and post it.
I still had plenty of yarn left over, so I am making a skinny scarf that will be about 6 ft. long for a friend of mine in Connecticut. I think she will love it! It will have all of the colors of Fall. It's amazing how fast these scarves go on these big needles. I just started the scarf for the Fibers Exhibit Sunday afternoon and finished it last night. I did not work on it all the time either. I had to run errands, do some bookwork for my part time job and the usual schooling and housekeeping. In 3 evenings I was done. I already have 3 ft. done on my friends scarf and I just started on it during the 10 o'clock News last night.
I have pics of my other 2 scarves and the neck wrap I made. The neck wrap is the white one. It is wool and mohair knitted together. It is very warm and I plan on using it a LOT this winter.
I have bunches to do today so I will close out now. I will get on that picture of my Scarf for the Show asap.
God Bless and have a great day!
katcha
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Red Beans & Rice and Fellowship Halls
Whew! After a whole day of cleaning house, I went over to our church to clean the fellowship hall. This is where we eat and prepare meals. I offered to months ago, but the older couple that was doing it at the time thought they had it under control. Well, they have a lot more going on lately and it was just getting to be too much for them. They already clean the church and the fellowship hall was needing attention.
So, at 4:30 I took the children with me and we began to clean. I had them help wipe down chairs, tables and the high chairs. I swept and mopped, wow! that was a job and a half. Then the girls swept, and cleaned the ladies bathroom and my son did the mens bathroom. I came behind and mopped. We wiped out the window sills and arranged the tables and chairs. It smelled a lot cleaner anyway. LOL It took me 2 hours this first time. Hopefully, next time it will be easier and faster.
I only have to clean once a week so that is not so bad. The fellowship hall is used on Wednesday nights and only a few Sundays out of the month. So basically anytime between Wednesday and the next Wednesday I can go over and clean it up.
I am home now, enjoying one of my all time favorite eats. Red beans & rice. I found a boxed kind at my favorite grocery store. It takes about 15 minutes and everything is in one box; seasonings, beans etc. It is spicy but oh my, is it grand. So now, with a full tummy, a sore shoulder and back from sweeping and mopping; I am ready for nice hot bath, 2 ALEVE's, and a soft pillow. Bed time is calling me. LOL
My only concern, is that my next door neighbor's sons (who are in there 30's and 40's and still live at home) are way in the back with a huge bonfire and drinking with their buds. The fire is close enough to our property line that if it gets out of control, our barn is back there and could go up in flames. I am not happy but I am putting my faith in God and his angels to protect us (while my husband is gone) and our property. Maybe I should check our Home Owners Insurance Policy about now? LOL
Good Night everyone and God Bless!
katcha
So, at 4:30 I took the children with me and we began to clean. I had them help wipe down chairs, tables and the high chairs. I swept and mopped, wow! that was a job and a half. Then the girls swept, and cleaned the ladies bathroom and my son did the mens bathroom. I came behind and mopped. We wiped out the window sills and arranged the tables and chairs. It smelled a lot cleaner anyway. LOL It took me 2 hours this first time. Hopefully, next time it will be easier and faster.
I only have to clean once a week so that is not so bad. The fellowship hall is used on Wednesday nights and only a few Sundays out of the month. So basically anytime between Wednesday and the next Wednesday I can go over and clean it up.
I am home now, enjoying one of my all time favorite eats. Red beans & rice. I found a boxed kind at my favorite grocery store. It takes about 15 minutes and everything is in one box; seasonings, beans etc. It is spicy but oh my, is it grand. So now, with a full tummy, a sore shoulder and back from sweeping and mopping; I am ready for nice hot bath, 2 ALEVE's, and a soft pillow. Bed time is calling me. LOL
My only concern, is that my next door neighbor's sons (who are in there 30's and 40's and still live at home) are way in the back with a huge bonfire and drinking with their buds. The fire is close enough to our property line that if it gets out of control, our barn is back there and could go up in flames. I am not happy but I am putting my faith in God and his angels to protect us (while my husband is gone) and our property. Maybe I should check our Home Owners Insurance Policy about now? LOL
Good Night everyone and God Bless!
katcha
No Place Like Home
Well, at midnight, they finally arrived. I had been sleeping in the recliner waiting when the pastor brought him home. It sounds like they had a time of it too.
Steve, his two boys and my son were driving to my house when they came to the fork in the road. A young boy was waving them down, so Steve stopped. The boy was very upset and said that his family had been in a car accident down the hill. The hills where we live are steep and usually have lakes on either side of them, thank goodness this one did not. Anyway, when they got down to where the car was it had been flipped over and the family inside. The man driving had a messed up hand (broken or lacerated, I guess). The wife's face was covered in blood and the other son had to be carried out on a flat board. To make matters worse, it was real obvious the man had been drinking heavily. SO Steve had to call 911 and wait for the police and ambulance to arrive. We live out in an area, where they have a hard time finding us, which does not help. My son said, the man was arrested, the woman and son sent to the hospital and the other son must have gone to the hospital as well (the one who flagged Steve down). My son, found it all incredibly exciting. LOL
Anyway, I was so glad to have him home safe and sound. I told him so and gave him a big old hug and sent him off to bed.
Guess what I found in the bed with me this morning? My son's teddy bear, all nestled up beside me. He said, he didn't want me to have bad dreams and be alone while dad was out of town, so he put the teddy in bed with me. I am one blessed mom.
God Bless~ katcha
Friday, October 21, 2005
At Last
It is now 10:55 as I start to write. It has been a full day, an active afternoon, an eventful evening and I am tired. Yes, for the first time in a long while I am actually tired. I am ready to sleep the night away, knowing that there are no alarms to go off, no appointments to meet and no pressing matters that need my undivided attention. I am at last, ready for a good night's sleep.
I'll never forget a movie I saw, where a man was thinking back on his mother. He had been a little boy and he knew how hard his little Irish mother worked to cook, clean and take care of their family of all boys. He said the last thing he would hear every night as she laid down in the bed was, "At last." with a heavy sigh. I too, am ready for that.
But, I am watching the clock and waiting for my youngest son to come home. The pastor's wife has him with her and her son and was supposed to have him at home at 10:00. Of course you see the time and I am beginning to worry. I know he is safe with my friend, she is always so good about taking care, but, it's late, it's a Friday night and I am sooo ready for bed. Where are they?
My girls are already in the bed and sleeping. They had a friend spend the night and usually they are up and giggling half the night, but I can hear their heavy breathing coming from the fold out couch as they sleep. Where could they be?
My husband and oldest son are away camping with the scouts this weekend. It should be a good weekend for it. The weather has turned cool and brisk with the heavy air of fall. Why are they so late?
I find myself going to the window every few minutes, every little sound makes me jump and say, "At last...they are home." Only to find it was my over eager imagination, playing tricks on me again. Where is she with my son?
It is now 11:09 and now I am beginning to be upset. Not mad, no, just feeling helpless. The "what if's" start playing thru my head like a train engine out of control. I try to push the tormenting ideas out of the way and reason away the demons that try and haunt me. Where is my son?
I think I will call now and see what is going on. Good Night and God Bless, hopefully when he comes home I can say, "At last".
katcha~ is this how the father of the prodigal son felt, always looking down the road for his beloved son to return?
I'll never forget a movie I saw, where a man was thinking back on his mother. He had been a little boy and he knew how hard his little Irish mother worked to cook, clean and take care of their family of all boys. He said the last thing he would hear every night as she laid down in the bed was, "At last." with a heavy sigh. I too, am ready for that.
But, I am watching the clock and waiting for my youngest son to come home. The pastor's wife has him with her and her son and was supposed to have him at home at 10:00. Of course you see the time and I am beginning to worry. I know he is safe with my friend, she is always so good about taking care, but, it's late, it's a Friday night and I am sooo ready for bed. Where are they?
My girls are already in the bed and sleeping. They had a friend spend the night and usually they are up and giggling half the night, but I can hear their heavy breathing coming from the fold out couch as they sleep. Where could they be?
My husband and oldest son are away camping with the scouts this weekend. It should be a good weekend for it. The weather has turned cool and brisk with the heavy air of fall. Why are they so late?
I find myself going to the window every few minutes, every little sound makes me jump and say, "At last...they are home." Only to find it was my over eager imagination, playing tricks on me again. Where is she with my son?
It is now 11:09 and now I am beginning to be upset. Not mad, no, just feeling helpless. The "what if's" start playing thru my head like a train engine out of control. I try to push the tormenting ideas out of the way and reason away the demons that try and haunt me. Where is my son?
I think I will call now and see what is going on. Good Night and God Bless, hopefully when he comes home I can say, "At last".
katcha~ is this how the father of the prodigal son felt, always looking down the road for his beloved son to return?
Thursday, October 20, 2005
My Addiction
Yes, I have to admit it, I am TOTALLY addicted to knitting. It consumes my every free moment. I am still working on my shawl (even though every ounce of me wants to frog it and start over. I think I want bigger needles to work with. *sigh*
I have started on a sweater for my youngest daughter and have the oldest daughter's yarn at hand. I am knitting this on circular needles and am well pleased. The colors remind me of Laffy Taffy, but Amanda loves it so that is all that counts.
We close on the Rehab house tomorrow. Then it will be off to the races hard and heavy. We want to have it completely finished and on the market by Christmas. whew!
Nothing much more going on. I have a bad case of insomnia lately, or maybe nerves. I sleep hard for a little while and then I am restless and my mind is going 100 miles an hour with worry and thinking. Not much fun.
I have to go for now, I'll try and write more later.
God Bless~ katcha
I have started on a sweater for my youngest daughter and have the oldest daughter's yarn at hand. I am knitting this on circular needles and am well pleased. The colors remind me of Laffy Taffy, but Amanda loves it so that is all that counts.
We close on the Rehab house tomorrow. Then it will be off to the races hard and heavy. We want to have it completely finished and on the market by Christmas. whew!
Nothing much more going on. I have a bad case of insomnia lately, or maybe nerves. I sleep hard for a little while and then I am restless and my mind is going 100 miles an hour with worry and thinking. Not much fun.
I have to go for now, I'll try and write more later.
God Bless~ katcha
Monday, October 17, 2005
The Final Verdict
we went to court today. My husband and 2 neighbors were the Plaintiffs and the alcoholic was the defendant. He pleaded "no contest". I think he originally thought it was about his dogs attacking and killing the neighbor's goat and when he realized he was being charged with harassment & stalking, well, things changed. He plea bargained so here is the final ruling.
6 months probation, absolutely NO contact, No verbal exchange, No waving or any other hand gestures and No throwing objects in our direction. He will be randomly drug and alcohol tested thru out the next 6 months. He had 90 days of Jail time which was suspended if he could "keep out of trouble for the next 6 months". If he does even a "single finger wave" in our direction or any of the afore mentioned offenses, we are to call the police, he will be arrested and sit for the next 9 months in jail. Am I happy? I am not sure. I guess so, but can he make it for 6 months? What will happen AFTER the 6 months is up? Will we have to do all of this all over again if he decides to "act out" again? I hope that if nothing else, he sees that we are tired of him and we are not going to let him bully us anymore.
On a good note, I finished a skinny scarf I had started last week. It has my handspun & dyed mohair blended with a store bought silky soft rayon. The burgundy is rich looking and the scarf is just...well, luxuriant. I also had started a scarf using a whole mess of varigated, Kool-aid dyed, handspun yarn. I have had this yarn for 3 years or more at least. I finished that today sitting in court! LOL I was worried they wouldn't let me in the courtroom with my vicious looking knitting needles, but they just smiled and let me right on in. I will post pics soon, I am too worn out now. This has been a looooooooooong hard day.
Anyway, it has been a very long day and I just wanted to let everyone know, we finally had our day in court and I guess it came out ok.
Good Night, God Bless and take care~ katcha
6 months probation, absolutely NO contact, No verbal exchange, No waving or any other hand gestures and No throwing objects in our direction. He will be randomly drug and alcohol tested thru out the next 6 months. He had 90 days of Jail time which was suspended if he could "keep out of trouble for the next 6 months". If he does even a "single finger wave" in our direction or any of the afore mentioned offenses, we are to call the police, he will be arrested and sit for the next 9 months in jail. Am I happy? I am not sure. I guess so, but can he make it for 6 months? What will happen AFTER the 6 months is up? Will we have to do all of this all over again if he decides to "act out" again? I hope that if nothing else, he sees that we are tired of him and we are not going to let him bully us anymore.
On a good note, I finished a skinny scarf I had started last week. It has my handspun & dyed mohair blended with a store bought silky soft rayon. The burgundy is rich looking and the scarf is just...well, luxuriant. I also had started a scarf using a whole mess of varigated, Kool-aid dyed, handspun yarn. I have had this yarn for 3 years or more at least. I finished that today sitting in court! LOL I was worried they wouldn't let me in the courtroom with my vicious looking knitting needles, but they just smiled and let me right on in. I will post pics soon, I am too worn out now. This has been a looooooooooong hard day.
Anyway, it has been a very long day and I just wanted to let everyone know, we finally had our day in court and I guess it came out ok.
Good Night, God Bless and take care~ katcha
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Fear of the Unknown...
Well, we finally recieved our Court date to face down the neighborhood alcoholic and bully. I am not sure what will happen, or even that the Court Judge can do anything for us. My feeling though, is that it is time for this guy to know, we are sick and tired of his mess and we aren't going to stand for it anymore. There are 3 families hauling this guy to court. Maybe that will count for something. If nothing else, when one of the husband's finally punches this guy's lights out, it will be "legal". LOL I don't know. I have been summoned to court before but never had to testify or anything. In fact, I had to sit out in the lobby from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. without ever seeing the inside of the court room. This time, I will go as well as the children. They need to see the legal system in action, whether it be good or bad. Also, it will give some accountability to everyone involved, because realistically, it is the children who suffer most. They are terrified and angry at this man for making us feel like prisoners in our own homes. Maybe the judge will be more sympathetic to our plight and rule in our favor. Just keep us in your prayers.
We are in a holding pattern right now. So many things going on. I had a cry and am finding it hard to not feel depressed (which is totally not my nature) about things. I am really being attacked lately.
I am hoping to work on this house this weekend so maybe we can get some painting going on and finish the living room. The sooner we get this house finished the sooner it can go on the market. The sooner we get this house on the market, the sooner we can get it sold. The sooner we get it sold, the faster we can get outta here! LOL We have been doing comparisons of other homes in this area and the going rate is $75.00 a square foot. So our house is only about 1400 square feet. So we could easily get $105,000.00 for our small home + we have a small barn, and a lot of yard. Most everyone around here has little or no yard because of kudzu. We will have a very desirable place for sale here being tucked up in a cove, remodeled home and land. We might be able to ask $125,000.00 for the total package. I can live with that. All I know is, the sooner the better.
I am on the home stretch with my Mohair scarf. It is blended with a yarn I bought. It is a crimson colored rayon that is super soft. So it is 50% rayon & 50% hand dyed, hand spun mohair. My friend Terry and and I were discussing how much my scarf could very possibly sell for. She had looked at scarves at the Crafts Fair this past weekend that were selling for $50.00 and they were just made from novelty yarns and store bought. We figured my scarf could easily sell for $100 at least. My shawl or wrap, is coming along beautifully. I figure about 3 more ft and it will be done. It sounds like a lot but really it isn't. It is going very quickly with the larger knitting needles, loose stitching and kind of yarn I am using. The handspun turned out wonderfully! I will post a picture or two after I post this. I hope the color will be true and the details won't be lost. My digital camera can be hard to tweak, I always forget to turn off the flash and it fades out my colors badly.
Well, lunch is over and I need to get the kids working on their school work. I am constantly looking over my shoulder about that. I wouldn't put it past the neighbor to make an anonymous tip to the authorities that my kids are truant or something and harass me by calling the police. I told my husband, if he tries to play that card, he will have made the biggest mistake ever. I know they will come and try to come and look at our house, like check the fridge for groceries, check to see if the house is clean and if the kids look healthy, but they won't step one big toe in my house without a warrant. Besides, my house is squeaky clean and everything in order, hah!
God Bless and "katch" ya'll later!
We are in a holding pattern right now. So many things going on. I had a cry and am finding it hard to not feel depressed (which is totally not my nature) about things. I am really being attacked lately.
I am hoping to work on this house this weekend so maybe we can get some painting going on and finish the living room. The sooner we get this house finished the sooner it can go on the market. The sooner we get this house on the market, the sooner we can get it sold. The sooner we get it sold, the faster we can get outta here! LOL We have been doing comparisons of other homes in this area and the going rate is $75.00 a square foot. So our house is only about 1400 square feet. So we could easily get $105,000.00 for our small home + we have a small barn, and a lot of yard. Most everyone around here has little or no yard because of kudzu. We will have a very desirable place for sale here being tucked up in a cove, remodeled home and land. We might be able to ask $125,000.00 for the total package. I can live with that. All I know is, the sooner the better.
I am on the home stretch with my Mohair scarf. It is blended with a yarn I bought. It is a crimson colored rayon that is super soft. So it is 50% rayon & 50% hand dyed, hand spun mohair. My friend Terry and and I were discussing how much my scarf could very possibly sell for. She had looked at scarves at the Crafts Fair this past weekend that were selling for $50.00 and they were just made from novelty yarns and store bought. We figured my scarf could easily sell for $100 at least. My shawl or wrap, is coming along beautifully. I figure about 3 more ft and it will be done. It sounds like a lot but really it isn't. It is going very quickly with the larger knitting needles, loose stitching and kind of yarn I am using. The handspun turned out wonderfully! I will post a picture or two after I post this. I hope the color will be true and the details won't be lost. My digital camera can be hard to tweak, I always forget to turn off the flash and it fades out my colors badly.
Well, lunch is over and I need to get the kids working on their school work. I am constantly looking over my shoulder about that. I wouldn't put it past the neighbor to make an anonymous tip to the authorities that my kids are truant or something and harass me by calling the police. I told my husband, if he tries to play that card, he will have made the biggest mistake ever. I know they will come and try to come and look at our house, like check the fridge for groceries, check to see if the house is clean and if the kids look healthy, but they won't step one big toe in my house without a warrant. Besides, my house is squeaky clean and everything in order, hah!
God Bless and "katch" ya'll later!
Monday, October 10, 2005
I Ask for Too Much...
I am having major guilties today. Hubby is sick, at work and stressed out. He has too much on his plate. First, work in general, next, scouts (he has to teach a course next summer and it is pretty big), after that, comes our rehab house (which will need to be done before Christmas, hopefully), now, the pastor wants him to be a deacon for our church, (I think he is worthy of it, he has come so far from the man I knew 3 years ago), also, I hate our house (it is so small and the neighbors are not nice at all) and lastly, let's pile my yarn shop on top of that.
We were trying to talk today on our cell phones and as usual, we were playing that, "Huh? What did you say? Excuse me? Hello? Hello? Are you there? Can you hear me now?" game when finally he says, "It MUST be your phone, cause I have full signal strength." I replied, "Well, we would have to live out here in the armpit of the county." (I want to add, that is what we BOTH say all the time.) He was quiet for a moment and said, "Please don't beat up on me." I was stunned, "How am I beating you up?" He quietly said, "You hate our house, you are not happy with where or what you have. " Can you say GUILT? Man, I felt horrible. Here he is busting his keester everyday so I can stay home with the kids and "play" and I am making him feel stressed out worse than he already does. How low can you go?
I don't mean to be discontent. I just never thought we would be here this long. When we moved down here I always thought it was a temporary thing. Than one thing led to another and we ended up buying this house from his daddy. Now, 7 years later, it is still half finished, too small and a headache. So, I told him that I was genuinely sorry and from this day forward, not another negative word would come from my mouth on the matter. I also said, that I would not ask for another thing from him as he had too much on his plate now as it was. I also made a mental note; I would tell him tonight that we would just forgo the whole yarn shop thing too. It's an unreasonable and totally unfeasable endeavor at this time. Some dreams are just not meant to be and although it is a sweet one, it does not bless the family right now. We are too spread thin emotionally, financially and physically.
I need to go for now, because, well, I am feeling very selfish and sad right now. I kind of need to go and have a good cry and get it all out of my system. You know what I mean?
Ya'll are great, thanks... May God Bless you in ways that I'll never know ~
katcha
We were trying to talk today on our cell phones and as usual, we were playing that, "Huh? What did you say? Excuse me? Hello? Hello? Are you there? Can you hear me now?" game when finally he says, "It MUST be your phone, cause I have full signal strength." I replied, "Well, we would have to live out here in the armpit of the county." (I want to add, that is what we BOTH say all the time.) He was quiet for a moment and said, "Please don't beat up on me." I was stunned, "How am I beating you up?" He quietly said, "You hate our house, you are not happy with where or what you have. " Can you say GUILT? Man, I felt horrible. Here he is busting his keester everyday so I can stay home with the kids and "play" and I am making him feel stressed out worse than he already does. How low can you go?
I don't mean to be discontent. I just never thought we would be here this long. When we moved down here I always thought it was a temporary thing. Than one thing led to another and we ended up buying this house from his daddy. Now, 7 years later, it is still half finished, too small and a headache. So, I told him that I was genuinely sorry and from this day forward, not another negative word would come from my mouth on the matter. I also said, that I would not ask for another thing from him as he had too much on his plate now as it was. I also made a mental note; I would tell him tonight that we would just forgo the whole yarn shop thing too. It's an unreasonable and totally unfeasable endeavor at this time. Some dreams are just not meant to be and although it is a sweet one, it does not bless the family right now. We are too spread thin emotionally, financially and physically.
I need to go for now, because, well, I am feeling very selfish and sad right now. I kind of need to go and have a good cry and get it all out of my system. You know what I mean?
Ya'll are great, thanks... May God Bless you in ways that I'll never know ~
katcha
Friday, October 07, 2005
Pinch me...
I must be dreaming! Me?! Bad luck shlep-rock?! (if you have to ask who that is, you are too young). LOL
My husband, got me a gift today. A beautiful knitting bag! In celebration of learning to knit and FINALLY proving to my mother & college professor that I, am NOT HOPELESS! This is an exspensive little purchase but I really wanted it. I was thinking more like for Christmas though. Anyway, it came from my favorite yarn shop in the city where hubby works. The Yarn Studio. A wonderful place that I am trying to model my own shop after. While my husband was in there, he was telling her about my shawl project and how I was a handspinner, yadee yadee yada, and she gave him her business card. She told him to have me get in touch with her as soon as I could, she wants to buy and sell my handspun yarns in her shop! Wooo Hoooo!
Now, I have to figure out how much to wholesale the stuff for. OY! Especially the hand dyed stuff or the stuff with novelty yarns plyed in. I am so excited!
Anyway, I have a full day ahead of me (running errands and groceries ACK!)so, I will try and write later when I get back.
God Bless!
katcha
My husband, got me a gift today. A beautiful knitting bag! In celebration of learning to knit and FINALLY proving to my mother & college professor that I, am NOT HOPELESS! This is an exspensive little purchase but I really wanted it. I was thinking more like for Christmas though. Anyway, it came from my favorite yarn shop in the city where hubby works. The Yarn Studio. A wonderful place that I am trying to model my own shop after. While my husband was in there, he was telling her about my shawl project and how I was a handspinner, yadee yadee yada, and she gave him her business card. She told him to have me get in touch with her as soon as I could, she wants to buy and sell my handspun yarns in her shop! Wooo Hoooo!
Now, I have to figure out how much to wholesale the stuff for. OY! Especially the hand dyed stuff or the stuff with novelty yarns plyed in. I am so excited!
Anyway, I have a full day ahead of me (running errands and groceries ACK!)so, I will try and write later when I get back.
God Bless!
katcha
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Real Estate
Well, finding commercial/residential real estate for sale is hard. In our small town, if it is a business you CAN live there. If it is residential, no business can be conducted from there. So now that we have that established...LOL here we go!
We found a small "historic" home next to the public library, it is a small run down 1 bedroom house; with a little TLC, it could be turned into a perfect yarn store. It is structurally sound, not too big and right on the main drag. But alas! It is a residential area. Originally, it was 1 of 4 little homes that a lady had inherited. She rented out the little homes to people who needed a second chance and charged them minimal rent. When our library was remodeled they tore down 2 of the homes and made a parking lot for the library. The people of our fair town petitioned for the other 2 homes to be saved. So, the parking lot quit right there. There is 1 other home right behind the house and it is being rented by the lady's nephew. She is wanting $70,000. for the house. I should post a pic so you can be the judge as to whether you think it is worth that. I think it is more like $40,000. but we would have to make it a rental (and no, not a low rent home either) and sit on it until they rezone that area. (which is supposed to be happening in the next couple of years) The down side? Well, we're not the only ones inquiring about the house.
Next, we have our eye on a lot right across from the library, behind another place. It is still in an main area & easy to find. We asked if we could build there and live in it. Yes, was the answer we got from the planning commission. So, we would build a building that fits the rest of the downtown square. I will try and find a sketch or something to post later. Ideal location but we don't know who owns it or if we can even buy the lot. The dilemma is, nothing is really up for sale right now. The sad thing about our little town is that we are the county seat. So all the charming little stores we use to have around town square, is all law offices. Ok, well, and insurance saleman too. There is one wonderful restaraunt located right there on the square and they are doing very well. I bet you can guess why? LOL
So, the hunt is still on and I go to talk to a bank tomorrow to ask questions and get some help. Meanwhile, the rehab house is on hold until next week. Then we start busting a gut getting that thing knocked out. That HAS to be done by Christmas! So, now you know all there is to know at this point. Commercial real estate is not cheap or easy to come by. We are NOT giving up.
God Bless and pray God would open up the perfect place for us! Not my will but thine, oh Lord.
katcha
We found a small "historic" home next to the public library, it is a small run down 1 bedroom house; with a little TLC, it could be turned into a perfect yarn store. It is structurally sound, not too big and right on the main drag. But alas! It is a residential area. Originally, it was 1 of 4 little homes that a lady had inherited. She rented out the little homes to people who needed a second chance and charged them minimal rent. When our library was remodeled they tore down 2 of the homes and made a parking lot for the library. The people of our fair town petitioned for the other 2 homes to be saved. So, the parking lot quit right there. There is 1 other home right behind the house and it is being rented by the lady's nephew. She is wanting $70,000. for the house. I should post a pic so you can be the judge as to whether you think it is worth that. I think it is more like $40,000. but we would have to make it a rental (and no, not a low rent home either) and sit on it until they rezone that area. (which is supposed to be happening in the next couple of years) The down side? Well, we're not the only ones inquiring about the house.
Next, we have our eye on a lot right across from the library, behind another place. It is still in an main area & easy to find. We asked if we could build there and live in it. Yes, was the answer we got from the planning commission. So, we would build a building that fits the rest of the downtown square. I will try and find a sketch or something to post later. Ideal location but we don't know who owns it or if we can even buy the lot. The dilemma is, nothing is really up for sale right now. The sad thing about our little town is that we are the county seat. So all the charming little stores we use to have around town square, is all law offices. Ok, well, and insurance saleman too. There is one wonderful restaraunt located right there on the square and they are doing very well. I bet you can guess why? LOL
So, the hunt is still on and I go to talk to a bank tomorrow to ask questions and get some help. Meanwhile, the rehab house is on hold until next week. Then we start busting a gut getting that thing knocked out. That HAS to be done by Christmas! So, now you know all there is to know at this point. Commercial real estate is not cheap or easy to come by. We are NOT giving up.
God Bless and pray God would open up the perfect place for us! Not my will but thine, oh Lord.
katcha
Having The Wool Pulled Over My Eyes
I am up to my eyeballs in wool, 2 bags of brown Romney wool; 2 bags of white Romney wool; and might I add, some of the most gloriously soft wool I have had in a long while. It has a long fiber of about 4 inches long, washes up beautifully, dyes equally as well and cards up exquisitely. (sp?) My project for my shawl (actually more of a wrap) is in it's first stages, I have figured up that the cost for the materials is about $50.00, give or take a dollar or 2. The time I have invested thus far though is about 12 hours + and I don't even have it all dyed or carded. I have the "sunshine" orange dyed wool dried and 3/4 carded. I have a wonderful little Louett drum carder I got, oh well, let's just say, a looooooooooooong time ago. It takes a bit of work but it is oh so worth it. Using the small hand cards are ok, but for as much as I going to need for this project, well the drum carder is wonderful.
I also have some wool dyed with a "scarlet" color drying now. It is going to take some time, but I will work with it like I did the last batch. The "sunshine" orange was slow to dry, but when it was just damp, I took handfuls at a time and with a hairdryer propped on my leg, gently blow dried the wool on the lowest setting. It did not felt or mess it up, in fact as it all dried, I fluffed it and picked it, so it would be ready for carding. It looked so beautiful in the wicker basket. My children kept going over and putting their faces on it. LOL
I have pictures to share. I will post them and then share how my endeavours are going with my yarn shop. I don't think I will make it happen before Christmas, but hey! it's all in God's perfect timing!
Let me post these pics and I will write more soon.
katcha
I also have some wool dyed with a "scarlet" color drying now. It is going to take some time, but I will work with it like I did the last batch. The "sunshine" orange was slow to dry, but when it was just damp, I took handfuls at a time and with a hairdryer propped on my leg, gently blow dried the wool on the lowest setting. It did not felt or mess it up, in fact as it all dried, I fluffed it and picked it, so it would be ready for carding. It looked so beautiful in the wicker basket. My children kept going over and putting their faces on it. LOL
I have pictures to share. I will post them and then share how my endeavours are going with my yarn shop. I don't think I will make it happen before Christmas, but hey! it's all in God's perfect timing!
Let me post these pics and I will write more soon.
katcha
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