Grateful For The Day

Its just amazing to me that the month of January is coming to an end. When I look back at the beginning of the year I really have to reflect on "Hows this New Year Working for Ya, Tammie?". 
So far, so good. The twins turned 18, Luke finally got his drivers license! John ( my oldest) is still working at his 2 day a week job and hasn't complained once about riding his bike at 11pm and coming home at 4am in the freezing driving rain. We fondly refer to is as "Johns Boot Camp 101". My middle son is living life and loving it with the "Girl of his Dreams", his term. She's sweet, we just have to slow the freight train of love down every once in a while. As in" No your too young to think about marriage!" 
Yep! There is never a dull moment in the Lindsey household. 
I have finally found a job that I believe I will work at until I am ready to retire from the world of teeth!!! Thats a mouth full! No pun intended, since that whole industry is not for the faint of heart.
I have to remind myself daily to keep my "Gratefulness factor up", thats what I have always called it. Sometimes its not easy. The true test is to remind myself daily to keep being thankful for all I have. Some days I wake up and everything seems to be good in my world. By 9am I could be changing my mind about that. Depends on the other people that live in my world with me. Thats when I step back take a breath and say, "Ok here we go, how can we make this better and learn from it?" Thats where my faith comes in. By the end of the day, I can look back and say Thank you God, that wasn't so bad. We got through that. Now on to the next day!"  THANK YOU GOD!

First Handspun Of 2012

Tide-Pool
Merino/Silk 2012

PEACE

This was the Year 2011! I can hardly believe that we are looking at an end to it. 2011 started out with promise of a better year than 2010 for my family. My husband finally got a job after almost 3 years of unemployment. I finally got a permanent job after almost a year of working temp jobs here and there. My oldest son finally got a job and is working on saving enough money to move out and become his own person. WOW!!! What a year of transition for us. 
My middle son is working towards having full time work and transitioning as an adult with Aspergers. 
My twin sons, well... They are about to turn 18! They are both full of hope and dreams. On the cusp of graduating from high school and getting ready to spread their wings of independence.
Oh, to be that young again. They are both wanting to go into nursing. So they look and plan for college and think about where they want to go to school for 4 years.  I gently talk to them about the financial reality of out of state tuition. I know that where ever they go to school they will do very well. 
Through all this I need to relax and know that God will bring it all together in the end. I pray for peace in my heart to just let God take control. Its hard to be a control freak and let God do it all! 
So I knit and spin..... This helps me re-focus. 
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Happy New Year 2012! I ask you to be a good one for my family. As always I will start out with a positive attitude about you. Please forgive me if I get a bit grumpy in the middle of it, or have to say I hate you. You know that in the end I will always look back and realize that you have forced me to grow and change for the best. I know that I will have learned a few things along the way. See you in just a few short days 2012!!!!!  

October is in Full Swing!

My what was referred to as a shed, now it is "The Cottage"

October is here and it seems even though the weather has been warm and pleasant that the Oregon Fall is upon us.

My Bold New House Color! "Goose Bay"

I've accomplished the goal of being amongst the employed again! This time I believe that I have found the job I've been waiting for. Thank you Jesus! I have prayed for this. I've known this lady for the past 15 years. I've kept in touch over the years, just that the opportunity wasn't available to me to work for her. I feel so fortunate right now. 
I'm working three days a week with a few four days a week here and there. I'm good with that!
Now I can settle down and enjoy my family and home with out worry. I haven't won the lottery, but the sense of relief of employment is amazing. My stress has reduced significantly. 
This month my knitting project has been a cardigan that I will modify to have 3/4 length sleeves. I found the pattern on Raverly and have looked at it over the years. It's the "Tappan Zee Cardigan." I'm using Alpaca/Merino/Silk blend in the amazing colors from Textiles A Mano ( Laura ) beautiful dying. Her art form of dying is so wonderful. Not to mention the fiber itself is fantastic to work with. The yarn is called "Bonita". 


Last I do have to say we painted the house! I'm so very happy with it! Yes, it's bright and No, I don't care what the neighbors think! hehehe! I feel like we have up lifted our souls when we drive into the drive way JOY! 

Tappan Zee Cardigan, "Bonita" Alpaca/Merino/Silk 

Fall? Really??

It's Fall! Yes!? But its almost 100 degrees out! Whats up with Global Warming???
Ok well here in Eugene, its HOT! Good thing that I have air conditioning, so I can knit and spin at will.
I have been able to finish my shawl from the Mystery KAL of Stephen West, Earth & Sky. I used all of my hand-spun yarn. I used a mixture of Abstract Fibers Alpaca and Silk, Dicentra's fiber of merino and tussah and a beautiful braid of merino and silk blend from Laura at Textiles A Mano here in Eugene.

I'm really very happy with how it all turn out. I do have to say that I may be changing the bind off, as it's too tight and doesn't drape as I had hoped it would. Laura suggested I use the Orenburg Lace bind off which is designed to be very loose and drapey for a shawl. 
I'm going to enjoy Fall. Seems that Summer took a very long time to come to us this year. I got a job, so I'm working 3 days a week for now. We are preparing to paint our house, so this will fill all the other days. I really hoped to have had more time before going back to work. However I have learned to follow what comes my way. This is where I will be for now. 
My twins have just started their senior year in high school with hope of a shinning future on their minds. I sure wish I had that kind of energy again!
I really must say that I am starting Fall with peace in my heart, feel fear is far away. I'm happy with how my Summer has happened. Joy is all around me in all that I see and do. I thank my friends who are numerous and kind, for their support and love through all I do. 
On to Fall we go!

July Has Gone! Oh My Its August!!

Slouchy Little Hat

Where on earth has the time gone!? I can't even believe that it's already August and my poor Blog has been ignored.
June and July just blew past me. June was cold and rainy here in Eugene and July wasn't looking much better until the last few weeks came to an end. It has taken way too long for Summer to find us in Eugene. 
The sun has been amazing for about a week here. My strawberries and raspberries are finally starting to appear. 

My New Jenkins Turkish Spindle & Mohair Locks

I have been spinning and knitting outside every day. In fact I have a chair that is in the perfect spot so I can see my little garden and watch the birds flitter around me. When I'm needing a knitting or spinning break I'm not worried about a rain cloud raining on my knitting or wheel. It just sits there all day long waiting for me to give it the attention it needs. 
Oh how I love this feeling of endless Summer! 

Spinning during the Tour<> Spinning Alpaca/Silk!!

Its finally Summer

Blue Skies and Sunny Days! Yes we finally have summer in the Pacific Northwest!
I'm enjoying spinning on my patio and knitting under a tree. 
This weekend is the "Black Sheep Gathering" in Eugene. I can hardly wait for Friday. I plan to go over to the BSG and hang out with my Wheel and knitting. 
I can smell the sheep now!  The colors and smells are the most wonderful reason to be there.