Re-entry is hard, guy

Today was my first day back at work.  All things considered, it was all right. I had less than 100 emails and only two voicemails.  I spent the day getting back on track, and taking care of paperwork.

The only "what the" moment I had was during morning break.  I sat in the wrong spot at the table and that caused a ripple in the atmosphere, I guess.  When I went to change spots, I managed to spill my cup of tea. After that I decided maybe I should stay in my office for the rest of the day.

I did get some work done on my brambles beret hat. I've got the 12 rows of 1 x 1 rib done.  Now I can go up to the next needle size.

Over my lunch hour I made a mad dash up to JoAnn's Fabric.  You see, I had been on the hunt for a three inch embroidery hoop.  I tried the wal*marts, Hobby Lobby and Michael's. This past weekend I called the  Hobby Lobby store to ask if they were in stock.  The gal went and looked, said "yes, we have about 16," and I thought "great!"  I arrived at the store and they didn't have them in stock.  Turns out she looked, but didn't really look.  She assumed.  Grrrr.

Today I went on JoAnn's website and it tells you if items are in stock at your local store.  I went to the store.  It was my first time there. Honestly, I'm not seeing why people are crazy for this store.

Anywho, I found where they *should* be, and there was none on the shelf. Turns out, they hadn't been unpacked and shelved yet.  It was like the universe was conspiring against me to get this size hoop.  There was only three employees working at the store, when I was being assisted there was suddenly a line of people wanting to pay for their purchases and you could tell they weren't feeling very patient.  Once I got my item, and a metal Wilton donut pan, I was having trouble finding the right 50 percent off coupon on the smart phone app.  But darn it! it was *my* turn to be assisted. 

I thanked the gal and let her know I appreciated her helping me.  I imagine she was feeling a bit stressed since they were short staffed.

Too bad I didn't get the hoop sooner.  It would have made working on my cross stitch project so much easier.

Over the summer I picked up a few small cross stitch projects from Hobby Lobby.  I thought they would fit in the 4 inch hoop I had.  Nope.  Last week I made the turkey cross stitch project in the above photo. It really wasn't an enjoyable project, without a hoop.  I persevered and got it done ... Sunday night I think.

Now I can work on the next project. A little witch hat for next Halloween.  Fingers crossed this one is more enjoyable.  When I was tossing the yarn and fabric stash last week, I discovered this kit, and another one of a cardinal. I forgot I had them.  I think maybe no more craft shopping for a while.

First cast on of the year

Last night I decided on some knitting projects I wanted to work on this new year. I rediscovered a skein of Cascade 220 I purchased last summer, and decided I wanted to make a second Brambles Beret.  My first Brambles accidentally went through the washer and dryer around a year ago.  There was much sadness when I realized what happened.  It had been made with a gorgeous blue Malabrigo yarn I received in a swap, oh about 7 years ago.

 

So I dragged out my ball winder, and searched for my umbrella swift.  Then I couldn't recall where I had set up the swift and ball winder the last time I used them.  I ended up using a kitchen chair to place my winder, and a side table for the swift.  Sometimes I get frustrated that I don't have a place for a permanent set up for this stuff, but none of the furniture in my craft room is thin enough for the clamps on these two tools.

 It's been a while since I worked cables. I hope it's like riding a bicycle.

 

I do love the deep purple of this yarn.  When I first the skein I knew I had to get it, and make a cabled hat out of it.  My first hat idea had been the 3 a.m. hat.  I've made a few of those and given them away as gifts, but I really miss having the Brambles beret.

So ...

Brambles Beret
Yarn: Cascade 220
Color # 8885; Lot #2J9995
 Needles: US 4 and US 6

In other news, I'm enjoying my last day of vacation.  I took the last week of December off, to spend the holidays with family.  It's been a busy time.  We had a lovely Christmas.  The weather was fairly decent. Our area hasn't received a lot of snow this winter.  There was a December winter storm that didn't amount to a lot of anything, but did leave a lot of ice on the roads, parking lots and driveways. 

My husband and I decided to switch over some of our appliances over to propane, so installing a new water heater and new dryer were two of our big projects this past week since we both had time off from work.  Even though he did the majority of things and I was a helper monkey, it was still tiring work.

I think it was Christmas eve that the weather was pretty decent out, temps wise.  The coop thawed out and I decided to take advantage of the weather and do coop chores while everything was thawed out. A cleaning was desperately needed and I got to spend some time with my ladies. 

 Here's a short video of one of the girls telling everyone she's gonna lay an egg soon.  She kept talking off and on for quite a while.

I pulled out my Dewalt radio, and turned on the classical music station, which I think the ladies appreciate hearing.  Turns out there was a broadcast of Epiphany Lessons and Carols playing.  How lovely.  I've not heard one before.  Hearing it helped my Christmas spirit grow just a little bit more.

The music greatly helped time go by and I think it took me less than 45 minutes to muck out the whole coop.

I clean out the coop in sections, and usually start with under the roosts.  The chickens weren't sure what to make of it, at first. I don't usually clean the coop with them still in there, but they don't like being out in the snow.  I know, they are prissy that way.  Then, when I dumped the pine shavings for them, they thought "oh boy!" 

 You will also see our two new Roos.  They have a lot of white on their feathers.  One has a stripe on his wings. They still do not have permanent names.

Last night was supposed to be the start of a winter storm. It snowed a *little* bit, but not enough to gripe about.  I thought the snow would start midday today.  Nope, not yet.

 

Tomorrow I head back to work, and I'm sad to see the break end.  It went far too quickly. It usually does.