Goodness!
Its been a year since I've updated this blog!
Last I updated my son was about to be married to the love of his life.
Well we got through a beautiful 103* day on July 2,

2015. It was the hottest
day of the year. A memory of love commitment and joy! It was a delightful 
day for sure!
A year later also brings me to a year of healing from the grief of the lose of my
sweet Momma. It was a year in February, but it seems so real still and more raw
than I had ever imagined feeling. Every day is a journey to healing, but I never 
thought it would take so long to get there. She truly was my hero in life.
What am I doing to find joy in my life? I fill my days of course with a sit at a desk
job. I love my work. I meet patients all day who have life stories galore. They are a 
blessing to me. 
I have recently taken up "Dance Exercise" with a friend and love it. It really does 
help to exercise and revive my brain and soul with something that makes me smile.
I still knit, spin and weave. This part of my world brings great joy. Fills my thoughts
with design, color and a sense of accomplishment. 
Happy Summer 2016. Life is good and the days are long and restful.

Summer is in full swing and we are on the cusp of a wedding for the first time in our family!

Our youngest son is to married on July 2nd to the lovely and beautiful Chloe. 

We are over the moon excited to accept this dear lady into our family of mostly men!

This all means that I finally get to gain a little more girl power in my life.

Joy is all around us we just need to look for it and accept it into our hearts.

Summer is Finally Here!

After an extremely cold Winter, which we would all like to forget, my garden is finally coming

out and is in full growth and glory!

Summer is here and the days are long and warmer than even a month ago. 

I've been spinning like a crazy lady on my deck. Getting my bobbins cleared and ready for 

the Sheep to Shawl competition for Black Sheep Gathering here in Eugene.

My team of amazing spinners and weavers have put together a beautiful shawl that will WOW

the judges!  Ok maybe not WOW them as much as give them ponder to wonderful abilities

in fiber knowledge as well as spinning and weaving. 

June 20th is coming soon and we will be ready for a full day of fun!

Fall

God really got it right when he decided we needed what we call "Fall". 

I look at it as a time for great change. 

I begin by cleaning out the garden. Everything starts to wilt and curl and mold. Its time to cut out what was once fresh and new, but now is dead and rotting. 

In a sense thats how life can be. Every once in a while we need to get rid of the tireless, old rotting stuff and re-fresh once again!

I really enjoy this process. The garden looks fresh and is ready and waiting for Spring again. There is a feeling of accomplishment and anticipation of change.

This year our change is cleaning out closets and rooms. Our oldest son has moved to a different town and is realizng his reality of change and what that means for him.

We too are figuring that out as well. With that move, we have been forced to re-arrange our world as well. Cleaning out closets, washing walls, a coat of new paint in what was once an old space, now a new fresh space. Waiting for change to move in.

The leaves are beginning to change to a beautiful new color, soon to drop to the ground. Ready to be blown in the wind to a new place.

Everything needs to experience change.

What will your change be the Fall? 

Handspun Rommney Wool Getting ready to change

Change a beautiful shade of Fall Sky!
PRAISE

Summer, a time for me to rest and re-energize. This Summer for me is the start of a new job. I have worked as a dental assistant for the past 30 years. My body is no longer able to work standing on my head looking in peoples mouths all day. I have now become a receptionist. Making the same money. I love this job! I really am working hard this summer with little to no time to relax. I have carved out some time to spin and knit. That time is precious to me and I guard it intensely.
I have been carding this lovely fleece that I bought in February with some friends. We each took 1/3 of it, splitting it 3 ways. The name of the sheep is Aristine and she is a Romney. Her fleece is like a dalmatian with spots of white, grey, and black. Even though romney can be course, hers seems to be soft and beautiful as its spun. After I have spun it all my plan is to dye the yarn.

At the shearing of Aristine, we bought on the spot

Aristine spun and dyed. Not the color I'm going for.
This was just a test dye, but still love it!

March is a New Beginning for Me!

When March comes around I always look at it as a new beginning. It's my birthday month! 
I begin thinking about what I can do to make the next year of my life different. I begin to actually day dream! When was the last time you were day dreaming about something that gave you joy? 
This last year has been a struggle for me. Finances is always #1, I really hate that! So I have decided that I will not waste my time on day dreaming about money. You know the day dreams of "If I could just win the lottery".... sigh..... Or maybe "If somebody would come into my life and hand me a million dollars" ...... Well its time to wake up Tamaria Lorree!!! That is not going to happen in a million billion years!! Get over it and day dream about what really matters in the here and now. Thats right! I'm giving myself a pep talk. 
I vow that I will sit in the sun more and close my eyes and day dream about what I can do to make a positive change for myself and my family. Negative thoughts have drifted into my life in such a way that it is affecting my relationships with the people I love and care about. It makes me really grumpy and unpleasant to be around. That needs to stop in my 55th year of life! If I live to be 100, I'm half way there. Can't imagine my loved ones wanting to put up with such a grumpy old lady for another 50 plus years! God save the Queen! and God save my boys from such trial! 
So I begin and new journey. I will pray daily for guidance. I will stop myself from unpleasant comments to others. My words will be in a positive manner and not directed as negative. "If you can't say any thing nice, don't say anything at all". 
I will do yoga at least once a week to stay calm. I will knit with joy and spin my little heart out. 
Most of all I plan to spend more time talking with the ones I love and taking the time with them to find out what brings them joy. I will hug more and ask for a hug more. 
I will get my JOY back! 

Happy New Year 2013

Happy New Year 2013!
Here's a view of my beautiful family
From Left: Cameron 19, Myself ( age denial), My Hubby (old as dirt, but still in love), Luke 19, Johnnie 24, Daniel 21
Heres' to Joy and Love all around us! 

Marigold Shawl from The Sock Report

Christmas Tree's at Devils Churn in the Winter

The Year of Gratitude

Thanksgiving, a time to reflect on the past year and take stock in the blessings of your life. This year has been filled with many life blessings and life lessons. It's difficult to look at the hard times as life lessons and not negative times. 
I have been working on "Lessons in Gratitude" this past month. I have been looking at any negative and trying to find something positive that I can be grateful for. 
There are so many things to have Gratitude for. When the negative becomes too overwhelming it's most likely time for me to re-think it. At this point I have figured out that its up to me to change my mind and make it positive. 
I have decided that Gratitude has to be a way of thinking every day or its easy to dive into the depths of despair. Its difficult to pull up out of that. 
So I pull myself up by my boot straps and put my big girl socks (knit by me) on, and walk tall with gratitude and grace!!!

Delectable and Wonderful Fiber! What a joy this batt has been to spin! I haven't counted the yardage yet but I think that I have about 400 yards! I'm not too sure what I will knit with it. Such soft and spongy yarn. I can hardly wait to feel it in my hands as I knit it.

Merino 80%, Silk/Flash 20%

Fall Knitting and Spinning

Fall is here! Today it will be about 85 degrees in Eugene... Imagine that! Fall?? How strange. Last night I sat on my deck and spinning in the warm air until dark. It was joyful. I have the next 5 days off of work to enjoy the last days of Summer and be reminded that Fall is just sneaking in the back door. I plan to knit and spin as much as I can out side.

Raspberry Silk on my Turkish

I'm working on a lovely pattern from the new Sock Report called Marigold. I'm knitting it in a Zauberball, which  is a green/black/gold coloring. Maybe I'll take a nap or two as well...

Summer

My favorite time of year is finally here. The warm Summer days to clear my brain. Sitting on the deck with my knitting or my wheel.  Coffee beside me, the birds singing.... sigh.... Peace.
These feelings are all wonderful, even when life is full of struggles. I know where I can find a bit of paradise.
Right in my backyard!
Thank you God for Summer.

Joyful March

I love March! I know its my birthday month, but I think even if it wasn't my birthday month I would still love it. 
Winter is almost over, I can see blue sky more than grey clouds.
The rain doesn't even bother me. The air is fresh and I can smell the ground begin to give way to little sprouts of flowers. Smell? Why yes, I can smell the earth starting to thaw out and get ready for me to dig in it. Its a fresh, earthy pungent smell. The earth is waking up and so are my senses. 
I can walk outside with only a shawl on my shoulders and feel warm and ready to receive the blessings of Gods Wonder all around me. There is so much Joy in that feeling for me. My senses are ready to receive Gods gift. 
Sense of Joy is all around us. You just need to open your heart, close your eyes and let it in. 

Eiki Shawl, My handspun

Happy Spring, Happy Joy! 

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.