Mar 10, 2010

Big Changes and Big News

I'm moving, yes, but not the way you think. Big Man and I are splitting up. It wasn't amicable at first, but it is now. I'm not moving to LA anymore; I'm moving to Charlottesville, Virgina, home of Juniper Moon Farm! My amazing friend (and the farm's owner) Susan asked me to move in and be her assistant in exchange for room and board.

Clio and I and my wonderful sister (who's flying in to make the drive with me) will be starting on our grand adventure this weekend, and should be at the farm sometime next week. If I can get my camera to cooperate (currently, the pictures it takes look like Salvador Dali painted them), I'll share pictures of our trip and our new home soon!

Mar 4, 2010

Miscellany

We got a house! To rent--never in our lifetimes could we afford to *buy* this house. However, it is AMAZING--1926 Spanish style, many many original fixtures (like leaded glass windows, built-ins, original Batchelder tile fireplace)--and is in a great neighborhood, and our landlady seems really lovely, and it's less than 1/2 mile from the beach, and overall I'm thrilled! Pictures once I get up to LA again (well, Redondo Beach, technically).

It is going to require some paring down of our belongings. It is technically the same square footage as this apartment, but it seems MUCH smaller. However, I don't mind having to cut back. We've needed to do so for a long time, so it's refreshing.

The house is small enough that I'm not even sure where, exactly, to put the cat's litter boxes. Someone on Ravelry suggested this toilet-training kit to me. I was immediately prepared to dismiss it. However, it's only $30 for the kit, and I would love to be done with litter entirely. Plus, it's obviously hilarious to see a cat use the toilet. Anyone have any experience with this? I'd love to hear about it.

Feb 16, 2010

Moving on up...

To the east side...well, not really. We are moving on up the map, though, to LA! Big Man accepted a job in El Segundo, and we'll likely be out of the San Diego area entirely in 2 or 3 months. We're both pretty excited and nervous about it, though for different reasons. He's nervous about his new job (more responsibility), and I'm nervous about how to condense and move 7 years' worth of STUFF out of here!

I'm likely to be selling/wanting to get rid of some things, like novels and other books, maybe some crafting items (though not likely any fiber or yarn!), and maybe some kitchen gear. If I get these things listed somewhere public like Craigslist or half.com, I'll be sure to post a link.


In the meantime, I get to figure out how we're going to work out our life for the next few months. And yes, I'd say we're finally (maybe) getting our piece of the pie :).


Dec 5, 2009

it's been a while...

And things are different. I have a craft show tomorrow, so I'm madly knitting for that (except right now, when I'm typing) and hoping I sell every bit of what I bring. Thanks to the terrible economy, we'll likely be moving in a few months, though I don't know yet if it'll be for a job or back in with my mom in Maryland. Clio the Wonder Kitty has a urinary stone that should have, in all ways, killed her, but she's perfectly healthy. I am sort of holding my breath to see what our future holds. I'm excited to find out, whether it's good or not so good. Either way, it'll be different.

Aug 24, 2009

A taste of things to come

Here's a few photos of some of the handspun yarns I have listed or will list during this week in my shop. They're going to be priced MUCH lower than normal in order to get some cash flowing into my anemic bank account.





Aug 22, 2009

hi there

Wow, it's been a while, eh? I've been in quite a long, drawn-out funk. I'm not a fan of my job (anybody want to hire me? For anything?) for several reasons, and it's affecting my brain pretty heavily.

However, this weekend marks the first weekend I have off since I told my boss "no more weekends!!". Even though this means my hours are being cut roughly in half, I can't tell you how happy I've been since I got off work Friday. It's completely worth it (not to mention the fact I'll actually get to spend time with Big Man again).

One sign of this happiness is that I'm interested in spinning again! Oh, I had done some during the bleaker days, but I wasn't *excited* about it. Now I am. Due to the hours being cut, I plan to work hard and get things listed in my Etsy shop at enough of a discount to (hopefully) ensure they sell just to get some more money coming in. I'm just spinning my fingers off, and it feels great. I owe a local Ravelry/LSG friend a debt of gratitude for getting me going, as she is paying me to custom spin some rovings she fell in love with.


I plan to take photos tomorrow, as this afternoon was spent spinning and napping (and, I kind of forgot I was supposed to take them). I hereby swear to post photos on this blog in the next few days of beautiful fibery things. Oh wait! I DO have a picture of the skein I test-spun for my Ravelry/LSG friend!

50ish yards, 4oz of hand-dyed merino from Fat Cat Knits, her colorway Deep Woods (I called it Sea Glass)

And just for fun, here's my buddy Sampson at the Wild Animal Park (where I met said friend this morning). I don't really know if it's true, but I like to think he remembers me, as every time I go into the aviary he hangs out in, he always comes right to the front of his tree and hams it up and looks like he wants to jump onto my shoulder. I say this because I've observed him from the entrance (where he can't see me), and he just sort of hangs out on the tree not doing a lot for other folks. I do usually spend at least 15 minutes talking to him every time we go.

Today he danced for me! I'd never seen that. Of course, that was when my camera died, so you'll have to move your head up and down in front of this photo and pretend.

He's a hyacinth macaw, and part of the reason I realllllllly want a big bird. His beak (and a lack of funds and space) is part of the reason I don't have one. I'm a weenie.

Maybe the lifting of the funk will mean more blogging too--it feels fun right now, whereas in the past it felt a bit like a chore or duty. Here's hoping! Now I'm off to spin some more...

May 22, 2009

You must eat this NOW.

Immediately, drop whatever you're doing and go straight to the nearest grocery store. You MUST try this flavor of ice cream.



I know it's been out for a while, and I'm late to the party. But it's soooooo gooooooooooood.

Also, if anyone knows where I can get my hands on some Ben & Jerry's Coconut Seven Layer Bar ice cream (short of going to a scoop shop), PLEASE let me know!