It all Started on June 09, 2007

I started this blog on 6/9/2007 to join a knitting swap called "Knitters Virtual Vacation". I am still in touch with many of the vacationers.   

We all say this-I did not realize that it has been that long since I posted, I started this post on 2/5/11 but did not put it up. I'm trying out some of the new features that blogger has added. I have made a 'new' page "About me" and I'm thinking of one about my cats and other subjects that I think my friends might like.

I am still unemployed and so many of my hours a day are looking at jobs from so many sources that it has become a full time job.  I have come to realize that I am not marketable in the industry I have always worked in. I need to reinvent myself. Then there is the 'age' issue. Everyone is letting go of the experienced workers-read-older and higher paid. Then they post the job looking for level entry but want all the experience that the person they just let go has.

What I really need to do is apply for social security disability. When I'm not looking for work I go to doctor appointments. If you have have advice let me know? There is so much information out there and on the SS site that my mind goes numb. 
Now for your viewing pleasure-

2/15/2011 Here is Pia all stretched out.

 and this is the little girl I adopted on 1/23/2005

4/12/2011- Sissy & Pia-it is very rare that they are together. They were close as kittens but as they got older they have own special spots. Sissy spends most of her time with me and Zorro has now started taking a spot on the couch.

Sissy is not that happy but is giving him some space

Still here but lost in a row boat with 1 oar

Hello to anyone who is still out there. I have not visited my blog friends is months. I am going to keep this short. I lost my knitting muse. I cast on a pair of socks on 1/1/10 so I could start the new year on the right foot.

On 5/21, my Supervisor and I who complied the whole of the "Production" department were given immediate notice that our services were no longer needed "due to restructuring of the Production function within ****** company.

I have never not had a job. The market out there sucks. You can not believe the job requirements. It looks like every job want a Bachelors degree to just answer the phones. In addition to the over done job descriptions, high school & college graduates are in the running because they are all level entry so many companies are going to take advantage of that for the summer months. I have over 30 years of experience which does not seem to count for much right now. I've been applying for jobs that I am over qualified for but that is OK, I could deal with less stress right now.

The upside to being home this long is that I have cleaned out my garden and going through closets and drawers. I have already made two trips to Goodwill. I have taken pictures of Barbie's and other collectibles to put up on Ebay. Then there is a collection of 'vintage' that I will try on Etsy.These garden pictures were taken back in May. Since then the landscapers cut everything back so the management company can fix the soffit, roof & gutters. If I had not "been home" I would not have know I had a problem. So that was an upside of not working. I was going to take these into work like I do every year but before I had a chance I did not have the job.

The cats love having me home. I have taken dozen of pictures of them. They are such clowns. Sissy in particular loves having me home to the point where I am more than ready not be be at home. I spend 6-8 hours searching for jobs on many different sites and she is right next to me looking for attention. She is doing things that she never did before.

Zorro eating out of Pia's bowl. Took this one so you could see how big she is.Here is Stanley on the bottom shelf of my gardening bench. This is one place he spends a lot of time staying cool in the afternoons
This was taken in the morning. This was as close as I could get. I took one move forward and he left this spot.

We all know how our furry friends like boxes. Zorro had been curled up sleeping but by the time I got the camera he sat up. Then he left.
Within seconds Sissy got it. She stayed awhile then she took off, she just could not help herself to find out what Zorro saw in the box. She & Zorro are pals. The are the frick & frack of my kitty brood.
Every morning I open the front door and the morning sun comes in. Sissy & Pia grab a spot. This spot has become Pia's main spot. Here is my fat cat in all her glory. No shame here.

Have to go now, job search continues. I will do better in posting, it might also help me talk to adults.

WoW-Finally

I have been so bad about keeping up with this. Here I share two shots taken in the last few weeks.

I mentioned in my snow post that Stanley had a new bed and you had seen what it replaced. Well, I realized I never shared the picture with you. He has now moved up to the dining table and was sleeping in a t-shirt. Saw a sale and the boy got a new bed.

Pia is a camouflage in fur. She matches my couch throw. I did not see her right off.

Be sure to check out WoW to see what or who is being highlighted.

Whiskers on Wednesday

Zorro sleeps in the most unusual places. Unfortunately I don't always have my camera handy. Hmm, a super power to add, a photographic memory with a USB port in my finger. This is where I found him this weekend. Sleeping on top of a bookcase in my bedroom. He likes this position. I have found him sleeping like this up against a baseboard, in the kitchen against the cabinet or fridge grill. He likes to sleep flipped over anywhere.

Pia in the meantime likes to blend in.

Please stop by WoW and check out the other posts. I hope to get back on schedule with my regular blog posting soon. More later...

Whiskers on Wednesday

Pia reading my pattern "see this? this is where you screwed up" Pia is always helping me knit.

"Hey, you don't need the instructions...you don't follow them too good"

Almost done...

Monday at work is done!

My graffiti sock #1 is almost done. I was going to ribbed all the way but figured I'd add a twist. Mock twisted cable. Should be able to start 2nd sock by Friday. Doing these on one 24" addi is working out well.

My 1st spindle, my friend Carol brought this for me at MS&W. Perfect for a 1st spindle. Now I really need to bone up.

My Garden

I have to say this has to be the best flower picture I have ever taken!

I hope to see the rest in bloom tomorrow

What I brought with a 40% off coupon at Michael's. Well, I just had to use the coupon, don't you know. Then Carol got her project ready for a cruise she is taking mid-month. She was going to do two on one 40# for the 1st time. Well, this bag is perfect! I don't remember the yarn but it is just beautiful and perfect colors for a cruise.

Kitty update

Zorro is doing better. He is walking on all feet now and is jonesing to go out! I am keeping him in for another week, if I don't loose the battle. He is one quick and cagey kitty. Stanley wants out too but he is OK sleeping in.

My big fat Pia jumped up to entrainment unit via the kitty tree. This is only the 2nd time she did this. 1st time I grabbed the camera she jumped down.

Watch this space tomorrow. I have a great video to share with you all. I need to see if I can learn to edit.

See it and weep...

Here is my first and last attempt (for now) at lace.
I installed a new computer this weekend and Pia found a perfect way to use the old one. I'm telling you this girl is still in denial that she does not have the same figure she had at 6 months!

A day off

This is the view I had at 7:30 this morning while making coffee (My date stamp was wrong! I thought I slept through a day) . I did a double take. Picked up my camera and went outside for another shot. This is the moon setting.

then I heard someone meowing and low and behold Big Boy was back. It was a short visit but breakfast was served.

Today I was scheduled to be at work but was lucky to ask for and get the day off. This extra time is really helping my knee get better. It also keeps me at home so I don't need to drive the jeep or spend money. I am more than lucky that my best friend's husband has this jeep that I could borrow. My car will probably not be ready till the end of the week. A month without my PT Cruiser. I so miss the ease of driving it as well as the CD player to listen to my books. Trying to get in & out of the jeep is like fitting in a sardine can. Even if my knee was OK I'd still have trouble. I'm not a small woman and it is comical to see how I need to get out.

The fingerless gloves were a hit with my boss.I think I can make another glove (I have 5 total completed) from this yarn but I have moved on to another sock. I decided to do the 9 to 5 pattern from Nicole. Yarn is Cherry Tree Hill-Sockittome- Colorway: African Grey. I started last Monday night on size 0 Addi 40" doing magic loop for the first time on socks. On Tuesday I went to the doctors for my knee follow-up, a 1:00 p.m. appointment. He did not see me until 2:30! I sure wish we could bill them for time lost. Anyhoo, I'm sitting there working on the cuff, purl 2 k4 with about 1" knitted & pulled the wrong needle! So now I'm trying to put the stitches back on the needle. I could hardly see the stitches and after about 4 tries I just ripped it all out. By the time I got in to see the doc I was back where I started when I arrived. I continued working the rest of the week and by Friday night was ready to start the leg pattern. When I started back up on Saturday I decided that the size 0 was making the pattern too small. So I once again ripped it out (I've got this part of knitting down pat!) This is where I am today

and once I finish this post I am tinking back because the heel flap is facing out the wrong way! Look closely near the needle. This is a learning curve I need to master.
Here is a picture of Pia in one of her favorite spots. I think she is like me, feeling like the young slim girl I used to be until you look in the mirror! So I present to you her picture when I adopted her in January of 2006.

I've spent some time on Raverly. Have you ever gone to Forums? Click on the radar tab. You can eavesdrop! How cool is that.

Enjoy you Christmas

Surprise gift spoiled!

Well, I just sent my blog like to family and friends and just realized I'm posting a gift!

This is my second sock just started and I know that she will never guess what she is getting for the 4th of July Anniversity present! Well, If I don't mention, she knows who, not to be confused with he who will not be named!
Pia (painintheass) was not pleased with the attention I was giving a ball of yarn.