I was finding my self being overwhelmed with all the "stuff " on my desk this morning. It took 1/2 an hour just to clean it up enough that I could pay my bills. (Bills can get lost under all the old stuff. Not a good thing. :-)
I need / want to get rid on a bunch of stuff including two cameras, and old cellphones. Recipes I'll never fix and books I've read. (I Love to re-read some books, its like visiting with old friends. Even though I know the story by heart, it still brings a smile to my face. I have to trust the universe to provide and that when I really need to re-visit that special book it will be available to me. I have to trust I'll find it in used book stores or at the Library or a friend who has it so I can re-read. )
I have boxes of stuff just waiting for me to go through and see if I need anything out of them.
Help I'm drowning.
Then I found this site this morning.
http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2008/07/clutter-busting.html
There's nothing here I don't already know but its a good reminder.
Today I will throw out a box, and tomorrow I will throw out a box and so on til I am no longer overwhelmed by my "stuff."
I'll let you know how it goes.
“Spend out.” What does that mean? by spending out, I mean to stop hoarding, to trust in abundance. I found this definition on the Happiness Project web site.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
Another finish object
Another finished object ready for Christmas.
Knit from some yarn I spun years ago. Unfortunately I can't seem to be able to make its like again. After years of spinning fine yarns I find it very hard to be able to make a heavy worsted yarn. Which is too bad because knitting with a bulky yarn goes so fast.
This took a couple of days to do. Finished size 35" around and 10.5" deep. The basket weave stitch combined with the yarn makes it super squishy.
Knit from some yarn I spun years ago. Unfortunately I can't seem to be able to make its like again. After years of spinning fine yarns I find it very hard to be able to make a heavy worsted yarn. Which is too bad because knitting with a bulky yarn goes so fast.
This took a couple of days to do. Finished size 35" around and 10.5" deep. The basket weave stitch combined with the yarn makes it super squishy.
 |
| A cowl for Christmas |
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
There's a new kid on the block
One of my dearest friends son and his wife had a baby boy on 11.30.11.
I just finished a present for him.
One Christmas present done, many more to go.
I just finished a present for him.
One Christmas present done, many more to go.
 |
| Baby Hat & Socks |
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
It's hard to save.
Whether it's saving money for a rainy day or saving time for a rainy day it's hard to save.
I am one of the few lucky one that get both sick time and vacation time. When I was young I took off every chance I got, but now I'm starting to worry about the future.
We've had several people around here who have needed to take extended leaves to recover from surgeries and I wonder how they can afford to do that. I mean if you didn't/couldn't work for 3 to 6 months how do the bills get paid? Not to mention all of the associated health care costs. One guy I know, who has good insurance, his cut of the hospital stay alone was $40,000. (That's after insurance.) I mean who's got 40 grand laying around. I still can't afford to replace the aging dishwasher that died two years ago.
I know I should be saving more money for my retirement plus making sure to be able to cover the health care costs associated with getting older. After making sure there's enough for the current bills there's not much left over and I'm one of the lucky ones, I still have a job and a home. It all could be gone in a blink of an eye.
It all gets overwhelming some times.
What brought on this post is Mischief, my oldest cat, is failing and I need to take a day off to have the vet come to the house. If we need to put her to sleep it's easier than going to a vet's office and then trying to drive home with tears in my eyes.
I am one of the few lucky one that get both sick time and vacation time. When I was young I took off every chance I got, but now I'm starting to worry about the future.
We've had several people around here who have needed to take extended leaves to recover from surgeries and I wonder how they can afford to do that. I mean if you didn't/couldn't work for 3 to 6 months how do the bills get paid? Not to mention all of the associated health care costs. One guy I know, who has good insurance, his cut of the hospital stay alone was $40,000. (That's after insurance.) I mean who's got 40 grand laying around. I still can't afford to replace the aging dishwasher that died two years ago.
I know I should be saving more money for my retirement plus making sure to be able to cover the health care costs associated with getting older. After making sure there's enough for the current bills there's not much left over and I'm one of the lucky ones, I still have a job and a home. It all could be gone in a blink of an eye.
It all gets overwhelming some times.
What brought on this post is Mischief, my oldest cat, is failing and I need to take a day off to have the vet come to the house. If we need to put her to sleep it's easier than going to a vet's office and then trying to drive home with tears in my eyes.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Hiking at Squaw Valley
One weekend in August Mike and I took the dogs up to Squaw Valley. The dogs were great and had a ball running around up at High Camp. They were not even bothered by the ride up on the cable car.
 |
| Mike & Shayla, Me & Buster at High Camp, Squaw Valley, CA |
 |
| Mike and very tired dogs |
 |
| A lots of beautiful wildflowers |
 |
| More wildflowers |
 |
| Still more flowers |
 |
| A close up |
Good blog post
I read this gal all the time and she’s pretty good but today’s article is esp good.
Warning don’t be drinking liquids, you could spraying them all over and watch out who’s around when you read this. You don’t want to have to explain why your (1) laughing so hard you’ve got tears running down your face or (2) why your cringing in pain.
http://crazyauntpurl.com/
Warning don’t be drinking liquids, you could spraying them all over and watch out who’s around when you read this. You don’t want to have to explain why your (1) laughing so hard you’ve got tears running down your face or (2) why your cringing in pain.
http://crazyauntpurl.com/
Monday, September 12, 2011
CSSW Retreat
I had a great time last weekend at the CSSW Retreat. (Sorry no pictures, was having too much fun.)
I got out to Davis Creek Regional Park about 1:00 on Friday and Amy, Doris and Virva were already there. As I was setting up a few more people showed up, Elieen, Carol, Sharie, and the Lindsay's, Mark and Linda. Mike came out with the dogs. Carol's daughters also came to camp with their mother. Calista stopped by to saw Hi.
Linda and I dropped a Yarn Bomb on 395 just before the turn off to get to the camp ground. It was fun. (Good news it's still there, I saw it as I drove to work this morning.) There was a lot of laughter and talk and red wine and of course a nice camp fire.
Saturday's meeting was fun. We had a silent auction and of course a bunch of folks brought stuff to sell or donate. I was able to move quite a bit of things I had been storing on to new homes. It's so much fun to see everyone but it goes by too fast.
Mim brought dye stuff for folks to use so there was a lot of color going on. I am inspired by the kool aide dying Sharie had done. I didn't get to dye. I was talking too much.
I helped carol get a warp on her ridge heddle loom and she was very happy. She kept joking on how she was now a "warped" woman.
Saturday night was a bit more low keyed, not as many people camping but still fun was had. Another camp fire and roasted marsh mellows.
Mike had taken the dogs home Saturday morning but came back with them and a great gift, coffee and donuts.
It was sad to pack up and go home but I have a lot of great memories of the event.
I got out to Davis Creek Regional Park about 1:00 on Friday and Amy, Doris and Virva were already there. As I was setting up a few more people showed up, Elieen, Carol, Sharie, and the Lindsay's, Mark and Linda. Mike came out with the dogs. Carol's daughters also came to camp with their mother. Calista stopped by to saw Hi.
Linda and I dropped a Yarn Bomb on 395 just before the turn off to get to the camp ground. It was fun. (Good news it's still there, I saw it as I drove to work this morning.) There was a lot of laughter and talk and red wine and of course a nice camp fire.
Saturday's meeting was fun. We had a silent auction and of course a bunch of folks brought stuff to sell or donate. I was able to move quite a bit of things I had been storing on to new homes. It's so much fun to see everyone but it goes by too fast.
Mim brought dye stuff for folks to use so there was a lot of color going on. I am inspired by the kool aide dying Sharie had done. I didn't get to dye. I was talking too much.
I helped carol get a warp on her ridge heddle loom and she was very happy. She kept joking on how she was now a "warped" woman.
Saturday night was a bit more low keyed, not as many people camping but still fun was had. Another camp fire and roasted marsh mellows.
Mike had taken the dogs home Saturday morning but came back with them and a great gift, coffee and donuts.
It was sad to pack up and go home but I have a lot of great memories of the event.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Black Sheep Gathering
Last weekend I made my annual trek to Eugene, OR for the Black Sheep Gathering. Much fun was had by all. I left early Wednesday and spent the night at Valley of the Rogue State Park. By breaking up the trip into two parts, I was much less stressed than usual.
I look forward to this trip all year. I get to spend quality time with my fiber mates from both the Bay Area and Reno. It's kind of funny that even when you live in the same city there never seems to be enough time to just hang out and spin or knit or chat or eat or shop. But being at BSG there's enough time for all of it.
I love all of the energy that is around the gathering and of course meeting new best friends you didn't know you had yet (hi Max), or running into friends you haven't seen in more than 8 years (hi Elizabeth) but it felt like just yesterday you had had coffee together.
Next years penciled into my calendar already. I can't wait.
I look forward to this trip all year. I get to spend quality time with my fiber mates from both the Bay Area and Reno. It's kind of funny that even when you live in the same city there never seems to be enough time to just hang out and spin or knit or chat or eat or shop. But being at BSG there's enough time for all of it.
I love all of the energy that is around the gathering and of course meeting new best friends you didn't know you had yet (hi Max), or running into friends you haven't seen in more than 8 years (hi Elizabeth) but it felt like just yesterday you had had coffee together.
Next years penciled into my calendar already. I can't wait.
Monday, June 20, 2011
It's been a long, long, too long time since I've posted.
And there's been a lot going on. It just doesn't seem to be enough time to post.
The Legislative session for this year is over and the weather has final warmed up enough for me to spend a weekend outside with Mike and the dogs.
Buster has become quite a swimmer. Shaly's a bit more timid. We went out to Pyramid Lake Sunday morning for breakfast. It's a very fun thing to do. Load up the VW van with the dogs and the Sunday paper, pick up some food and coffee on the way and take off.
Other things that got done this last weekend. The pools up and filled. I wasn't sure I wanted to go through the hassle of putting it up since we got such a late start but we should get to use it for a few months at least. Also put in a path, with pavers, to the deck. We didn't measure anything when we put the deck in but when we put the pavers done the fit almost perfectly. We have really taken back the yard and I am pleased with our progress.
Since it was Fathers day and my nephew's birthday was coming up, we celebrated both at my brothers house. We had lots of food, many kids under foot, and much laughter.
And there's been a lot going on. It just doesn't seem to be enough time to post.
The Legislative session for this year is over and the weather has final warmed up enough for me to spend a weekend outside with Mike and the dogs.
Buster has become quite a swimmer. Shaly's a bit more timid. We went out to Pyramid Lake Sunday morning for breakfast. It's a very fun thing to do. Load up the VW van with the dogs and the Sunday paper, pick up some food and coffee on the way and take off.
Other things that got done this last weekend. The pools up and filled. I wasn't sure I wanted to go through the hassle of putting it up since we got such a late start but we should get to use it for a few months at least. Also put in a path, with pavers, to the deck. We didn't measure anything when we put the deck in but when we put the pavers done the fit almost perfectly. We have really taken back the yard and I am pleased with our progress.
Since it was Fathers day and my nephew's birthday was coming up, we celebrated both at my brothers house. We had lots of food, many kids under foot, and much laughter.
Friday, February 4, 2011
They are getting so big
Last night Shayla wanted to sit in my lap. She cuddled up and closed her eyes.
They both are getting so big. I remember when we brought them home, she was half this size and that was only a few months ago.
They both are getting so big. I remember when we brought them home, she was half this size and that was only a few months ago.
Monday, January 31, 2011
I had a dream...
The other night I had the most wonderful dream. It has faded in the way most dreams fade which is too bad because it was glorious.
It was a moment of clarity, a moment of such supreme understanding of the extraordinary greatness that we are part of. That this thing is so vast and huge that we as humans just don't have the words to define it, in any of our languages. Since we are human and we have to need to define this, even though our words useless, we use religions to help us define this greatness and that at the core of all religions, they are all right. They all have guiding principles of how to be a better person and doing good for others. They define a small part of the vast whole.
Here is the sad part.
We get in to trouble is when we feel that there is only one way, one view point, one definition, instead of celebrating the wonderfully diverse way we have learned to see the amazing wonder.
It reminded me of the story of the blind men trying to describe an elephant by laying hands on different parts of the animal.
It was a moment of clarity, a moment of such supreme understanding of the extraordinary greatness that we are part of. That this thing is so vast and huge that we as humans just don't have the words to define it, in any of our languages. Since we are human and we have to need to define this, even though our words useless, we use religions to help us define this greatness and that at the core of all religions, they are all right. They all have guiding principles of how to be a better person and doing good for others. They define a small part of the vast whole.
Here is the sad part.
We get in to trouble is when we feel that there is only one way, one view point, one definition, instead of celebrating the wonderfully diverse way we have learned to see the amazing wonder.
It reminded me of the story of the blind men trying to describe an elephant by laying hands on different parts of the animal.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Puppies and knitting...
don't mix
This is what Shayla did when she found my knitting.
This is three hours later.
This is what Shayla did when she found my knitting.
This is three hours later.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Less is more
This year I want to focus on the idea, Less is More. I have been able to remove 3 kitchen sized bags of gently used clothes, old purses, and shoes to the thrift store. Put in the trash one bag of trashed clothes. (My husband is really hard on his work clothes and shoes. He buys them second hand and uses them up.) And gave a way a bag of jeans to some one who had a plan for them.
I have also gotten rid on the last two years of statements for house bills. I usually keep two year of these things because you never know when you need to go back and get one. It's saved me a lot of time and head ache when disputing a charge. (I know you are only supposed to keep them until checks clears but you never know.)
This year I got a new scanner and plan to scan in the hard copies and then shred them. It's a different of dealing with them but I'm hoping it will help.
I am also looking at my stash to see if there anything that can move on to another.
I going to keep at this.
P.S. As soon as I find the cable to the camera, I have some new pictures. Hint: How many guys does it take to hang a flat screen TV at Thanksgiving?
I have also gotten rid on the last two years of statements for house bills. I usually keep two year of these things because you never know when you need to go back and get one. It's saved me a lot of time and head ache when disputing a charge. (I know you are only supposed to keep them until checks clears but you never know.)
This year I got a new scanner and plan to scan in the hard copies and then shred them. It's a different of dealing with them but I'm hoping it will help.
I am also looking at my stash to see if there anything that can move on to another.
I going to keep at this.
P.S. As soon as I find the cable to the camera, I have some new pictures. Hint: How many guys does it take to hang a flat screen TV at Thanksgiving?
Monday, January 3, 2011
Hello 2011
... and good bye to 2010.
It's funny to be here on the first Monday of a new year, checking in on all my friends in blogland, and the one thing that seem to be consistent is that every one is glad 2010 in over. It seems like just about everyone I know took a beating 2010. Some lost jobs, some found jobs that were not as good as the ones they lost; some lost family, some spent way too much time in a doctors office, hospital or at the vet. We had to get a new-to-us car then had to spend more to fix it.
Here's to a better year for us all.
One a better note. We took the puppies on their first trips to a couple of the local dog parks. They did very well. Shayla's a bit shy and doesn't like to more enthusiastic dogs but did get plenty of run and play time.
They also got to go on their first visit to someone else home. They did just great. They didn't have any problems the other dog or the cat. When they were tired they found a place to crash. And no accidents. If this keeps up we will have a pair of great dogs.
It's funny to be here on the first Monday of a new year, checking in on all my friends in blogland, and the one thing that seem to be consistent is that every one is glad 2010 in over. It seems like just about everyone I know took a beating 2010. Some lost jobs, some found jobs that were not as good as the ones they lost; some lost family, some spent way too much time in a doctors office, hospital or at the vet. We had to get a new-to-us car then had to spend more to fix it.
Here's to a better year for us all.
One a better note. We took the puppies on their first trips to a couple of the local dog parks. They did very well. Shayla's a bit shy and doesn't like to more enthusiastic dogs but did get plenty of run and play time.
They also got to go on their first visit to someone else home. They did just great. They didn't have any problems the other dog or the cat. When they were tired they found a place to crash. And no accidents. If this keeps up we will have a pair of great dogs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)