Playing Catch Up

 So I've really seemed to have fallen off the blogosphere.  It's far from intentional and I hate that I am such a random blogger.  I have the thoughts, the pictures, but I seem to lack time.  I really enjoy writing on here.  It gives me a chance to share with my friends and family what I've been making and what I've been doing and allows for me to connect with new people that have interest in knitting. 

I've been trying to find new patterns lately that will help further my knitting skills.   I use to be very intimidated by trying new things in fear that I couldn't get the hang of it or totally mess up what I was working on.  Now, I just want to make things and if I don't know how to do it, then I will learn. 
Here are a few things that I've made over the last few months. 

Brodey's Birthday Hat :)
I learned how to do a Right Front Cross.
Gives a cool cabled look.



My stress knitting hat.
No new technique learned.
Just really needed to do some therapy knitting.



This is my first Entrelac project.
Ended up teaching a 3 hr workshop at my LYS. :)



A tutu!!
learned a new project for this yarn aside from scarves!



Mitten Ornaments
I made 9 of these for my nieces and nephews for Christmas :)



 I have made other things that I haven't loaded pictures for but maybe another time, right?
What I've been wanting to knit lately has been a super cozy shawl.  I don't know why but ever since I made a prayer shawl for a dear friend of mine I have wanted one for myself.  I have been working on one for my aunt that I keep running into snags on but am hoping to get it figured out somehow so she can at least enjoy one. 

There have been other exciting and busy things going on lately.  One of these things would be that my son Brodey turned 6 yesterday and got a ferret as an early birthday present a couple of weekends ago. 



Our newest family member

He named her Dorothy and she is by far one of the sweetest and most playful ferrets I have ever met.  I had two of my own growing up and so I was so excited to do this for him knowing that I too would enjoy having her.  But he is constantly saying that he is her daddy.  The sweet little names he calls her (baby, girlie, sweetie) just warms my heart.  This little boy really is her daddy and he takes such good care of her.

I've been working a lot lately.  If you didn't know I have 3 part time jobs.  One is at a local Christian radio station, one is doing property management from  my home, and one is working at my favorite local yarn store.  And I'm not the only one that works a lot.  David is gone a lot of the time for work and averages about 60 hr weeks... sometimes more. 

Lately I have felt like the job that is the most important is the one that is often times neglected.  Being a mom.  Now I'd like to think that I'm a pretty alright mom but I'm also a very busy mom that can sometimes be too busy.  I don't feel as though I am being the mom I want to be or being the mom that God is calling me to be.  So I've decided to make changes. 

One of those is to let go of a job that I have been so blessed by that I can't help but be saddened, but it is also the job the takes me out of the house on a consistent basis.  I feel it is important for me to be home more consistently being that David's schedule is so unpredictable.  I don't know how we will be sitting financially and I trust that we will be able to stick to our budget plan... I am just trusting God in this.  I truly believe that I am doing what God is calling me to do and have a feeling that he has some other things in store for me.

I feel peace in knowing that God will take care of us and that includes my family at the radio station.  I felt some what guilty because they have blessed me so immensely and I don't want to walk away leaving them in a tough position but thankfully they have been super encouraging and completely understanding.  Just another reason why I am so blessed.  Promises have been made to stay in touch and I was relieved to hear that I will still be invited to birthday lunches.  I just can't imagine not staying connected.  They have brought such joy into my life as we have prayed together, celebrated together, cried together, laughed together, supported each other...  I have been so blessed.

So as I'm preparing to leave this job and further improve my role as a mom, I can't help but to look into the future months and plan for the summer.  I envision lunch outside, playing at the park, story hour at the library, parade day, hula hooping in the yard, outdoor crafts, walking a few blocks to grab ice cream,  and maybe even a road trip or two.  I just can't help but get excited as I think about Farmers Market, NIC Fest, and possible music festivals we can go to.    It will be bitter sweet.

In this hectic life I have been super busy managing a renovation project for a property that I manage from home and occasionally teaching and planning at the Dancing Sheep. BUT I've been doing some playing as well... In the form of hula hoop dance.   


Took a cleaning break to get my hoop on.



It seems to be picking up in popularity but the more hoopers the better in my opinion!  It is a fun and creative way to get my body moving.  I feel more and more confident knowing that I am doing something to better use and tone my curves.  In some ways it is therapy of its own.  I just feel a total lift in my mood and spirit when I do this and can't wait when the weather gets nicer so I can play. :)  I just wish I had more time and bigger living room right now.  haha!

So now you know what's up with me....
What's up with you?

Blessings,

-C-