Saturday, March 29, 2008

Support Fiber Arts+

Marni Harang, a member of Tall Pines, our local spinning and weaving guild, is participating in a 1825 mile bicycle ride north from Mobile, Alabama to Niagara, Ontario along the historic Underground Railroad on behalf of Heifer International. The goal of Heifer International is to work with communities around the world to end hunger and poverty, and care for the earth through animal husbandry. Your donations will be used to purchase breeding pairs of sheep, llamas, goats and angora rabbits, animals famous for their warm, income producing fiber. From shearing to spinning, weaving and finally to selling fiber goods at market. These animals will help struggling families earn extra income to break free from the grip of poverty and hopelessness. Over time, as that gift multiplies and more animals are passed on to help others in need, entire communities will be warmed and fed by the precious fiber.

You can read more about Marni and her cycling and fiber escapades on her blog. If you'd like to make a pledge, go here; and here's a link to read more about Heifer International.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Ok, I'm pathetic!

Went to Bed Bath & Beyond yesterday after work for a new squeegie (sp?) for the shower. Came out out that AND a new Dyson Animal vacuum! It was on sale for $150 off PLUS I had a coupon for another 20% off! Woo-hoo! How pathetic is my life that I'm so excited over a vacuum cleaner? I guess you just have to have a big black shedding dog and white tile floors/carpet to understand. I could vacuum every day and still have dog hair everywhere. At least now maybe I can finally get rid of the other 3 vacuums I have and just use this one. I've been cleaning out stuff to make a run to Goodwill this weekend, so I'll just add them to that pile. Spring cleaning fever has struck!

Sunday, March 23, 2008

What happened to March?

Ok, I admit it. I'm woefully behind in keeping my blog even somewhat up to date. But I have been accomplishing a lot in the meantime. I'm finishing up the last two bobbins of spinning for the moorit merino. This afternoon I need to weigh them and split up the remaining fiber so that hopefully they'll come out pretty even when I ply them together. Plus, last night I got another hank finished of my dark brown/white bulky weight yarn that I've been plugging away on for a couple of years. I need to pull all of it out of storage and see how much is there. After dyeing, it's going to be an Einstein Coat. Kind of a boring knit in miles of garter stitch, but definitely functional and warm.

The cello lessons are going well. I'm still having fun and am actually able to play a little bit. It's going to be a long haul before I'm ready for anyone to hear it though. And I've been surprised by how much strength it takes to practice for an hour! I was sick last week and couldn't even make it 15 minutes. So this is another good reason to get my exercise in. I really want to be back down to 145 by the summer, but it's not going to happen unless I kick the activity up a notch. Actually, before I came down with last week's cold, I was running 1-1/2 miles twice a week, in addition to my usual Nordic Track or pilate's workout. There are just not enough hours in the day! I'm up at 5:30am, work until 4pm, come home and work out, practice the cello, get dinner on, and hopefully a little knitting or spinning time, and it's past my bedtime before I know it! Throw in a meeting or two, and some housecleaning and I'm totally overextended. But there's nothing I'm willing to give up yet, so I'll keep on plugging along.

I spent the first weekend this month with the boys. DIL's mom is in the hospital so I tried to help keep them a little distracted since all the grownups are under so much stress. Sure wish we lived closer! It's always hard to drive up and back just for the weekend, but they grow up so fast that I don't want to miss a minute. Riley has finished his first session of soccer and now tee-ball is about to start. He'll be 5 in May, and is so coordinated! Wore me out chasing him around the back yarn with the soccer ball. I don't think I could have run AND kept the ball moving forward without killing myself at that age.

Sunday morning was spent at the park to run off all that excess energy. The weather was just beautiful, and the sun felt wonderful. Spring is finally peeking out! It was still a little cool and you can see all the static built up on the slide in Tucker's hair.
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Then here's Riley posing on the jungle gym.
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And one last one of dad and the boys. How is it that Shelly always manages to be missing when the camera is out? One of these days I'll catch her off guard.
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