Wednesday, May 12, 2010
I'm Learning to Knit
Today I woke up rather tired and with a lot to do. On days like today I really need a reason to get out!
Today was my knitting lesson. I had been so excited to take it but frankly I was feeling so lousy that I really didn't feel like going. I did not cancel however as I didn't want to wait until next week for something I've long looked forward to learning. *smile
I'm keeping my promise to post here about what I'm learning. I realize my first attempts won't be that exciting for you, lol, but for me they are. Here is my practice swatch. I guess it isn't too bad but isn't so great either. More practice will make it better of that I'm sure.
For now I was really concentrating on learning to cast on, practicing knitting and pearling, decreasing & increasing stitches and binding off. I was also very keen on learning to regulate my tension as I've always had a problem of the tension of yarn being too tight whenever I've tried to teach myself to knit. Having a teacher today was I think really helpful for the tension issue.
In my photo below you can clearly see that the beginning part of the swatch is narrower than the top. I didn't deliberately increase the swatch. I think I probably increased stitches accidentally and also as I practised I was making sure my yarn remained loose so as not to have the issue of my tension being too tight.
I also have a whole in the middle of the swatch. I don't know how it got that way, maybe it was a case of tension being way too loose.
Lessons learned today from my practice swatch:
- It is good to learn what to do with your fingers and thumbs and how to hold the yarn
- There are different methods to knitting. None of them are wrong and it is important to find what works for you. I hadn't really realized this before and having a teacher showed me that some approaches work better for me than others. I'm excited about that.
- I have a tendency to lose stitches and also to gain stitches. I will need to pay close attention as I embark on learning to knit.
- It is okay to pull the swatch to see the pattern of knitting and how the stitches "fit" together. As I develop an "eye" for what I'm doing, I will be able to correct some of my knitting errors.
Well that is it for now. I hope to make a dish cloth soon out of the same yarn. Hopefully there won't be any big holes in the middle.
Today was my knitting lesson. I had been so excited to take it but frankly I was feeling so lousy that I really didn't feel like going. I did not cancel however as I didn't want to wait until next week for something I've long looked forward to learning. *smile
I'm keeping my promise to post here about what I'm learning. I realize my first attempts won't be that exciting for you, lol, but for me they are. Here is my practice swatch. I guess it isn't too bad but isn't so great either. More practice will make it better of that I'm sure.
For now I was really concentrating on learning to cast on, practicing knitting and pearling, decreasing & increasing stitches and binding off. I was also very keen on learning to regulate my tension as I've always had a problem of the tension of yarn being too tight whenever I've tried to teach myself to knit. Having a teacher today was I think really helpful for the tension issue.
In my photo below you can clearly see that the beginning part of the swatch is narrower than the top. I didn't deliberately increase the swatch. I think I probably increased stitches accidentally and also as I practised I was making sure my yarn remained loose so as not to have the issue of my tension being too tight.
I also have a whole in the middle of the swatch. I don't know how it got that way, maybe it was a case of tension being way too loose.
Lessons learned today from my practice swatch:
- It is good to learn what to do with your fingers and thumbs and how to hold the yarn
- There are different methods to knitting. None of them are wrong and it is important to find what works for you. I hadn't really realized this before and having a teacher showed me that some approaches work better for me than others. I'm excited about that.
- I have a tendency to lose stitches and also to gain stitches. I will need to pay close attention as I embark on learning to knit.
- It is okay to pull the swatch to see the pattern of knitting and how the stitches "fit" together. As I develop an "eye" for what I'm doing, I will be able to correct some of my knitting errors.
Well that is it for now. I hope to make a dish cloth soon out of the same yarn. Hopefully there won't be any big holes in the middle.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Blue Monday on May 10, 2010
It is going to rain again today, blah! It was supposed to be another one of our few sunny days, but now I have to wait for that until tomorrow. I found this picture taken on a beautiful, picture perfect summer day though though you perhaps can't tell because this side of the building is taken in the shade. I love this shade of blue.
Happy Monday!
Happy Monday!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Another Scenic Sunday
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
to all the mothers out there in the blogosphere.
May you have a wonderful day.
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Click here for more scenes from around the world. |
Friday, May 7, 2010
Peek Out My Door
Click on the arrow to start the video.
I was trying to upload a second video blog but I don't seem to have enough room in Blogger for the upload.
I was trying to upload a second video blog but I don't seem to have enough room in Blogger for the upload.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Progress at Last on Goals for 2010
My decluttering project has been in the works now for a very long time. I have a lot of personal items and years of paperwork to sort through. It has been waiting for me to get at it since we moved back in after the fire in September 2009. But I have so little time at home because I travel out of town every month to assist my ailing mother and I'm gone for a good two weeks each month.
For the first time in 16 months, I am home for the entire month. In the one week I've been alone, I'm making progress so I just have to journal about it here and have a marker of what has been accomplished on the road to where I'm headed. I've also been resting an awful lot.
What have I done this week?
Financial Goals
- Filed my taxes.
- Collected all bills and paid them.
- Added to my snowflake jar.
- Made some difficult financial decisions to live within means.
Health & Lifestyle
- Found a "home" for the exercise ball and weights in one corner of the living room.
- Lifted some weights to remind myself what it is like,lol. It has been so LONG since I've lifted a weight.
- Bought a Pilates machine. It was just delivered last night. Now I need to figure out how to assemble it. While it looks assembled I've learned there are many screws and pieces that need to be attached to this and that.
- Getting lots of rest. At the same time, I'm trying not to fritter away the time or work myself so hard that I detest the journey. I've been setting my timer once in awhile when I really can't get motivated on the tasks at hand. It helps if you know you only have to work until the timer goes off.
- Eating more vegetables and started eating more fruits again. I even made a modest start on juicing. Bought a good condition book on juicing. It only cost 25 cents.
- Made some bread and cooked all meals.
- Eating much lighter for dinner as my roomie is gone right now.
- Researched knitting classes and decided on private lessons. I start next week.
- Researched easy knitting patterns on line so I can make sure I have the right knitting needles and wool for the pattern. I've decided on a modest project of making a dishcloth as I really need to learn and practice the basics. I'm hoping I can use this new skill once learned for charitable projects and the odd personal project.
Creating an Edible Garden
- Collected all the coffee grinds and fruit and vegetable scraps for the garden compost.
- Contacted a community garden and put my name on a waiting list for an allotment.
- Purchased some potting soil.
- Planted some kitchen herbs.
- Located and untangled all my needed electronic plug items...and charged everything up.
- Investigated my web cam. It is no longer compatible with my software. Need a new one but this is not top priority.
- Machine shredded and hand shredded one box of confidential documents. This job has been staring at me everyday. I tried to pay my brother to shred all my documents but he hasn't gotten to it either so finally one box is gone. I still have two tubs and smaller bags to go as well as 4 drawers of my filing cabinet. Much of these materials isn't confidential but I will need to shred all the identifying information and personal numbers for banking, etc.
- Put up about 5 pictures on the walls, moved a lamp into my room and a small table into the corner of the living room. My nephew gifted me with the picture below for Christmas. I had it in my bedroom but have moved it to the living room for now.
- Thoroughly cleaned the guest bathroom.
- Laundered the sofa and arm chair slip covers and removed the pills/nubby bits from the sofa fabric.
I now have to repair the sofa slip cover as it has ripped in the corner that is used most often.
- Cleared the dining room table (yet again). I use the dining room table to sort out the items which need paying and shredding or putting away. I need to clear it so I can repair the sofa slip cover.
- Cleared the top of my desk in the bedroom (again).
- Cleared the top of my dresser (again)
- Emptied my suitcase and put it away.
- Reorganized the clothing on my closet shelves and found a place for all the clothing, Identified a few items for giveaway and found a place to store the extra linen.
- I've done countless loads of laundry this week and am deciding whether to give away all my work out items that don't fit. I hesitate to do so because they are so costly if I need to buy a smaller size again soon. I know we're not supposed to keep things that are too small and for the most part, I don't. In this case, I might make an exception.
- Started one new fictional book and made small progress on another. The photo below is a cover shot of the new book.
- Re-organized a place in living room for my bible study area to make this a conducive study area for daily use. I have a nice cosy chair next to the table and the window behind me will give good, natural lighting.
- Made mental notes of clothing and other items that need repair (e.g. reading lamp in bedroom).
- Cancelled mailing address and got a new one. Following up with all businesses for mail redirection instructions.
Family & Friends
- Mom was in hospital for a few days due to heart issues. I called her each day and prayed with her.
She is home now and I keep in touch and pray daily.
- I organized a surprise for my niece and she loved it.
- Reconnected with several friends. Had tea with one and made some plans with two others.
- Lost one friend in the Kenyan village due to sickness. Praying for her teenage daughters left behind with no adult to care for them. Would you join me in prayer for these dear girls?
Spiritual
I'm failing in this area. My time alone with God is hampered by my stress level right now. I know I can't use this as an excuse but God knows what I mean. I am seeking His rest and also the prayers of friends and loved ones. Thank God they hold me in prayer.
For the first time in 16 months, I am home for the entire month. In the one week I've been alone, I'm making progress so I just have to journal about it here and have a marker of what has been accomplished on the road to where I'm headed. I've also been resting an awful lot.
What have I done this week?
- Filed my taxes.
- Collected all bills and paid them.
- Added to my snowflake jar.
- Made some difficult financial decisions to live within means.
Health & Lifestyle
- Found a "home" for the exercise ball and weights in one corner of the living room.
- Lifted some weights to remind myself what it is like,lol. It has been so LONG since I've lifted a weight.
- Bought a Pilates machine. It was just delivered last night. Now I need to figure out how to assemble it. While it looks assembled I've learned there are many screws and pieces that need to be attached to this and that.
- Getting lots of rest. At the same time, I'm trying not to fritter away the time or work myself so hard that I detest the journey. I've been setting my timer once in awhile when I really can't get motivated on the tasks at hand. It helps if you know you only have to work until the timer goes off.
- Eating more vegetables and started eating more fruits again. I even made a modest start on juicing. Bought a good condition book on juicing. It only cost 25 cents.
- Made some bread and cooked all meals.
- Eating much lighter for dinner as my roomie is gone right now.
- Researched knitting classes and decided on private lessons. I start next week.
- Researched easy knitting patterns on line so I can make sure I have the right knitting needles and wool for the pattern. I've decided on a modest project of making a dishcloth as I really need to learn and practice the basics. I'm hoping I can use this new skill once learned for charitable projects and the odd personal project.
Creating an Edible Garden
- Collected all the coffee grinds and fruit and vegetable scraps for the garden compost.
- Contacted a community garden and put my name on a waiting list for an allotment.
- Purchased some potting soil.
- Planted some kitchen herbs.
Decluttering & Organizing
- Located and untangled all my needed electronic plug items...and charged everything up.
- Investigated my web cam. It is no longer compatible with my software. Need a new one but this is not top priority.
- Machine shredded and hand shredded one box of confidential documents. This job has been staring at me everyday. I tried to pay my brother to shred all my documents but he hasn't gotten to it either so finally one box is gone. I still have two tubs and smaller bags to go as well as 4 drawers of my filing cabinet. Much of these materials isn't confidential but I will need to shred all the identifying information and personal numbers for banking, etc.
- Put up about 5 pictures on the walls, moved a lamp into my room and a small table into the corner of the living room. My nephew gifted me with the picture below for Christmas. I had it in my bedroom but have moved it to the living room for now.
- Thoroughly cleaned the guest bathroom.
- Laundered the sofa and arm chair slip covers and removed the pills/nubby bits from the sofa fabric.
I now have to repair the sofa slip cover as it has ripped in the corner that is used most often.
- Cleared the dining room table (yet again). I use the dining room table to sort out the items which need paying and shredding or putting away. I need to clear it so I can repair the sofa slip cover.
- Cleared the top of my desk in the bedroom (again).
- Cleared the top of my dresser (again)
- Emptied my suitcase and put it away.
- Reorganized the clothing on my closet shelves and found a place for all the clothing, Identified a few items for giveaway and found a place to store the extra linen.
- I've done countless loads of laundry this week and am deciding whether to give away all my work out items that don't fit. I hesitate to do so because they are so costly if I need to buy a smaller size again soon. I know we're not supposed to keep things that are too small and for the most part, I don't. In this case, I might make an exception.
- Started one new fictional book and made small progress on another. The photo below is a cover shot of the new book.
- Re-organized a place in living room for my bible study area to make this a conducive study area for daily use. I have a nice cosy chair next to the table and the window behind me will give good, natural lighting.
- Made mental notes of clothing and other items that need repair (e.g. reading lamp in bedroom).
- Cancelled mailing address and got a new one. Following up with all businesses for mail redirection instructions.
Family & Friends
- Mom was in hospital for a few days due to heart issues. I called her each day and prayed with her.
She is home now and I keep in touch and pray daily.
- I organized a surprise for my niece and she loved it.
- Reconnected with several friends. Had tea with one and made some plans with two others.
- Lost one friend in the Kenyan village due to sickness. Praying for her teenage daughters left behind with no adult to care for them. Would you join me in prayer for these dear girls?
Spiritual
I'm failing in this area. My time alone with God is hampered by my stress level right now. I know I can't use this as an excuse but God knows what I mean. I am seeking His rest and also the prayers of friends and loved ones. Thank God they hold me in prayer.
Therefore confess your sins
to each other and pray for each other
so that you may be healed.
to each other and pray for each other
so that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:16
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