Song for Today

In honor of 5 short months of marriage; sappy and sweet; remarkably accurate:

Lucky

Valentine Weekend 2009: Tax and Family Time

I wrote this post almost a week ago...just now getting around to posting it! 

2/13/09

Valentine's Weekend 2009: Tax and Family Time

I can't wait to be home. As I'm writing, we are driving north on I-35. This weekend is (as everyone knows) Valentine's Day weekend. It also happens to be Hubby's birthday weekend! We're taking this opportunity to indulge in one of the things we love most: family time. 

My darling mother has offered to help us get our taxes organized this year. As I've posted previously, 2008 was a complicated income year for us. I worked two W-4 (or is it W-2?) jobs, and two independent contracting jobs. Hubby has worked two W-4 jobs, and did some independent contracting this summer himself. This being our first year married, and having made (for the first time ever, really) enough money to be very careful and accurate, I solicited some advice and got a wonderful response. My mom is one of my favorite people - her wisdom and her kindness and her selflessness are her hallmarks. The two of us have certainly had our run-ins in the past, but my respect for her grows daily - and I know I can always call for support, encouragement and unconditional love. 

Hubby's birthday is on Sunday. Almost a Valentine's baby! His folks have invited us over for lunch and a celebration after church, and we're SO looking forward to it. I love how easy going and readily accepting and loving his family is! In high school, Hubby's house (of course he wasn't Hubby then...he was Boyfriend!) was an refuge, a place to get away to, during those inevitable and overwhelming periods of teenage angst. They were always so happy to see me...and I can honestly say that I was (and am more, every day) always happy to be there. What a blessing to join with a family that loves me unconditionally! 

I guess I'm just thankful for family right now. I'm excited to see everyone, to have my eighth wonderful Valentine's Day with my sweetie, and to learn something about taxes! And, lucky us, we get to stay until Monday! 

There are times in life when one must admit what one is not. 

I am not globally organized. 

This is something that admittedly bothers me. I am an organizational person - I used to sort UNO cards when I was a kid. It was FUN for me. I love finding places for things, and knowing that those things have a belonging-place. But on the whole, I'm not good at making that happen. I am not good at being selective, at knowing what I want and when something doesn't fit with what I want. If I like it, I'll have it, even if it doesn't....match (gasp!). 

So you see the paradox I am living with. I thrive in clean, organized surroundings. I love making that happen, and I love it when its complete, but I suck at the process! (I am also Mrs. Stingy, and replacing something just because it doesn't match or isn't entirely efficient is rarely an option.) So in the mean time, I lack the vision, the resources and the motivation to create a well-organized space. 

Ah, how the longings of my heart are thwarted! 

February Groceries...Ugh!

Well, if you hadn't already guessed, I failed miserably on my self-imposed grocery challenge for January. As it turns out, I haven't quite gotten the hang of buying enough of the right things, at the right time, so I can cook the meals I intend to cook, when I intend to cook them. Its hard! 

Our budget is constantly undergoing renovation. Most of it is actually holding up really well, but the grocery has still not achieved balance. I am terrified that my it is just going to keep getting BIGGER! Ahh!

We just finished week three of Financial Peace University. Thats the week we talk about the budget. A lot. So, today is the day to reexamine the budget for February. I've already spent grocery money for February...I couldn't stand it. I thought for a long time about what we use up most (like cans of tomatos...where do they go!?), and made a very concise list...which ended up being very long, also. I spent nearly all of the budget according to January, and its only the first week! I'm going to allow myself an extra $25 this month, and see how that goes. 

I'm trying to be purposeful and not just buy stuff because it looks good, or because its on sale. Sometimes I need to remember that just because its on sale doesn't mean I need to have it NOW. (I bought four boxes of cereal on this last shopping trip, because they were on huge discount. I feel good that I got a good deal, but do we really need to have four boxes of cereal at a time? No way!) Because of this realization, I'm considering converting to a weekly shopping trip - which means I purchase for one week at a time. I could allow some budget for a stockpile, for those on-sale-amazing-deal-impulse-buys. Because I have less than $75 left in February's grocery budget, I'm planning to instigate this new grocery plan on the first of March. Wish me luck!

Lindsay's Snowflake Slouch Hat (Free Pattern)

(2/3 update: still can't get photos to upload. Visit my facebook album to see photos of the hat!)

I spent about three hours last night crocheting this hat, by Kathryn Bernard: Snowflake Slouch Hat.

I was yearning for some instant gratification, and it was a perfect choice!!! Check it out. The looseness of the pattern (she didn't even specify a hook size, for sure) really encouraged me to think intelligently about the piece I was creating, rather that just following the words on the page. I found, once finished, that although the brim fit my head quite perfectly, I wanted a little more slouch. I made some minor alterations as I went along, and once I had it done, I realized I needed (wanted) some more significant changes. So I jotted down some notes and went to bed. Today was a busy day, but I managed to undo half of the finished product and re-do...twice. Some faulty counting on my part ruined me by the time I got back to the brim at first. I disciplined myself (for your sake) to do it correctly so I could write an accurate pattern. The second time, I was much more careful, and it turned out just the way I hoped it would. 

So, without any more ado, here it is. My first crochet pattern, based on the pattern linked above. I hope I haven't been terribly confusing, or made any serious mistakes. If you notice mistakes or need clarification, please let me know! (I'm trying to upload photos, but blogger isn't cooperating. I'll try to get some uploaded later tonight or tomorrow.)

 

Materials: I used Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool. Size I-9 hook (5.5mm).

This hat fits my head – about 23” (measured around the nape of my neck to my forehead hairline). Adjust appropriately for different sizes. 

Chain 5, join with a sl st to make a loop.

Round 1: 14 sc in loop.

Round 2: Ch 1. *2 sc in next st.* Repeat to end.

Round 3: *Ch 7, skip 3 sts, sc in next st* 5 times. Ch 7, sl st to join.

Round 4: Ch 1. *11 sc in next loop. Sc in next st.* Repeat to end. Join with sl st.

Round 5: Ch 2 (counts as dc). *Ch 5. Sc in 6th st (at the top of the next loop). Ch 5. Dc in sc between loops.* Repeat to end. Join with sl st in the 4th ch.

Round 6: 3 sl st in next 3 ch sts. *Ch 5. Dc in next loop. Ch 5. Sc in next loop.* Repeat to last loop. Ch 5. Join with sl st.

Round 7: Ch 2. 5 dc in each loop, around (there should be 14 loops). Join with sl st.

Round 8: Ch 2. 5 dc in each space between 5-dc clusters, around. Join with sl st.

Round 9: Ch 2. 6 dc in each space, around. Join with sl st. (You should have 84 sts.)

Round 10: Ch 3. 1 tc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Round 11 (decrease round): Ch 3. *(Tc in next st) 5 times. Skip next st.* Repeat to end. You should end up with 70 sts including first ch-3.

Round 12: (decrease round): Ch 3. *(Tc in next st) 4 times. Skip next st.* Repeat to end. You should have 56 sts including first ch-3.

Round 13: Ch 3. *2 tc in next st. Skip next st.* Repeat to end. Join with sl st.

Round 14: Ch 3. 1 tc in first st. *Skip next st. 2 tc in next st.* Repeat. 1 tc in last st. Join with sl st.

Round 15: Ch 2. 1 dc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Round 16-18: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Fasten off, weave in ends. 

Unraveling History

I've taken up a new knitting endeavor: unraveling old sweaters for the purpose of recycling the yarn. A few weeks ago I found some awesome sweaters at Goodwill, each for $2.99, and brought them home. So far I have unraveled two of them (almost) and have at least four times as much yarn as I could have purchased for the same price. 

It is a time-consuming exercise, and your home does tend to get covered in little yarn fibers. Hubby keeps wondering whether it is really worth it - is it really useable yarn? what about all the hours it takes to successfully unravel one long knittable piece? Honestly, I'm not sure if its worth it yet - but I am making one assumption: this being my first time may be a waste of money, but I will only get better at choosing eligible sweaters and at unraveling with speed. Even my second sweater came apart with much greater ease than the first one! 

I guess we'll have to wait and see what comes out of the balls and balls of yarn I have accumulating. At that point, maybe we'll asses and decide whether the final product(s) are worth the $2.99. 

To knit continental, or not to knit continental...

I am a right-handed left-handed knitter. My left hand isn't good for much, usually, but somehow as I was teaching myself to knit, I found it easiest to wrap the yarn around the needle while holding it in my left hand. I only gradually realized that this was unusual. At the same time, I frequently noticed references to English and Continental knitting styles, though I never really pursued learning about their differences. Until tonight, when someone casually mentioned that Continental is nothing more than holding and wrapping the yarn with your left hand. !!! I was surprised, amazed, and felt some sort of belonging, suddenly, finally! I found some videos online demonstrating the Continental style, and watched with rapture. It is at this point in the story when I learn that I am neither an English knitter nor a Continental knitter. My poor heart, it fell rapidly and splatted on the ground with an air of disappointment and hopelessness.

Then, I decided that I would legitimize myself by learning to knit according to the Continental style. I was already most of the way there, and how hard could it be? The main difference is that I wrap the working yarn around my entire hand, and then hold it between my thumb and forefinger as I work with it. This makes holding the left-hand needle quite precarious, but not to worry, I usually just prop it up on my tummy (weird, I know...just stay with me)...while in Continental style, you traditionally wrap the yarn around your pinkie once, and then brace it over your index finger, as a way of maintaining tension. I tried this method, with all the gusto of Barbara Streisand's Funny Girl. I did an entire two-row set on my lacy scarf with this method.

But, as it turns out, not only am I unaccustomed to it, I am incapable of maintaining tension in this way. It just slips through my fingers, unless I hold it with opposing ones. I blame my naturally soft hands. I hope I didn't ruin my scarf!

No, I am neither English nor Continental. But I guess I'll just have to stay that way. My method works, my tension is consistent, and my stitches are even. I love to knit (though I do feel a bit displaced), and I'll do my best to be happy in my unique nature. Maybe someday someone will name my method the Lindsay method!


Here is a picture of my lacy scarf, just begun. I think it is going to turn out beautifully.

Financial Peace University

We began a Financial Peace University class at our church last Monday. Tonight is class #2. (I have to admit - I'm not Dave Ramsey's #1 fan...but I know he's got a lot of things right.) I am...VERY...excited. I am a penny-pincher, a number-cruncher, and a self-motivator. Every time I make a loan payment (I am anxiously awaiting my last payment to post), I spend hours calculating our new pay-off date. Recently, an ancient Quicken program for mac os 8.6 has been helping in that process. I also spend hours figuring out what our new daily interest accumulation is (the last three payments have lowered our daily interest by $0.06!), how much our total interest will be if we continue at the rate we're going, and how much it would be if we quit paying ahead and paid only minimum payments from here on out. I like comparisons. Dave likes comparisons, too.

I listened to his podcast for the first time today. He is very enigmatic. It gets on my nerves a little bit...but at the same time, he is so encouraging. If you've never heard Dave Ramsey's radio show, one of the things he loves to do is take callers who have gotten out of debt. He gets them on the phone, asks them lots of questions about how much debt they've paid, what they make and how long it took. Then he says okay, are you ready? And they count down, and yell at the top of their lungs "WE'RE DEBT FREE!!"

Its kinda cheesy. I was surprised at how moved I was when the first caller filled his lungs with air and yelled. It was like David running naked in the streets, or the crowds of Obama supporters when NBC finally made the announcement. It was a perfect expression of the giddy peace and joy that guy was filled with at the prospect of never having to send another check to the creditor. It is stunning how powerful it is to be in control of your money!

I honestly can't wait until the day I can email Dave Ramsey and say "we paid $XX debt in X years, on $XX/year income, and we're debt free!" (You wouldn't catch me for one second screaming it at him on his show...I'll just put it in print.) It will certainly be a day of new horizons for us and our family.

Little Joy

A small bird just fluttered up outside my window and clung to the screen. It peeked around - I'm sure it couldn't see me inside - hopped to a different place on the screen, and flew away. I feel a bit silly blogging about such a seemingly small, insignificant moment. But for those of my readers who can't read my mind, I wish I knew a way to accurately share the absolute delight I had as I watched that bird for the 10 seconds or so it was near me. I first noticed the bird when it flew up quickly - in my peripheral vision, it was a bit bigger than a bug, and it had come awfully close. When I glanced up and saw a bird, my breath caught in my throat.

Everyone says what they want to about animals in general - some might say that birds are dirty, disease ridden, or mean. I suppose some, perhaps all birds fit in these categories. And I am not an "animal person" - not necessarily. I don't need to surround myself with them all the time - they admittedly smell funny and are a bit of a nuisance at times.

But animals are one of those things in life that open my eyes to the majesty and unfathomable-ness of LIFE. I rarely see a bird as closely as I just did. It was less than 5 feet away from me, right outside my window. And the 10 seconds it graciously gave to me gave me the opportunity to be amazed. Amazed at the construction of a bird's body. Amazed at the strength in its tiny legs. Amazed at its ability to move - all of these things are completely foreign to me, and when placed directly in my vision, they draw me to awe more quickly than anything else in this world.

The Fickle Knitter

I have an issue with project dedication.

I am a novice knitter. I realize this more and more as I browse knitting blogs and impatiently await my invitation to ravelry.com. I realize that there is an unending amount of information and expertise for me to learn before I can really consider myself a knitter. Its that impostor complex that everyone gets when they realize there are a LOT of people who are better than them at what they do.

All the same, I am fervently pursuing my knitting, and don't see a decline in interest any time soon. I am just anxious to learn all I can learn and become the best!

However, because of this desire, I am increasingly aware of my fickle nature. I am currently working on:
-A scarf for my brother. Christmas 2008 gift. Almost done!
-A scarf for my brother-in-law. Christmas 2008 gift. About half way done.
-A scarf for myself! Lacy and loosely knit, a new thing for me. Just begun.
-Unraveling a sweater picked up at Goodwill for $2.99. So far I have about 4.25 oz of yarn I think i will use for gloves/socks. Anxious to get started, but holding off for the sake of the over-due Christmas gifts.

Last Saturday I spent hours at Goodwill and the library. Spent the rest of the day learning how to take apart a sweater. Have been reading my four books on sock knitting and poncho knitting since, wishing I could whip out my needles and yarn and get started. But my shame at being in the middle of three knitting projects (not to mention on crochet project) has kept me from diving in to more and more distractions.

How can I overcome my strong fickle nature? How can I remain dedicated to one project long enough to finish? How can I resist reading and clicking and reading all the marvelous knitting blogs and community websites out there? I cannot! They are the bane of my existence and the motivation of my craft. What can I do??

Just keep knitting...

Grocery Challenge Update

Well, it is January 8, and we have only spent $7 on groceries so far. However, the ambitious cook inside me is wincing and whining about my lack of options right now. My plan is to shop this weekend, and all of my dreams will once again be realizable. Until then, I am facing spaghetti and stroganoff every night. Ugh.

I'd like to say that I've taken this week as an opportunity to learn how to spice up "boring," but I'd be lying. This week has been a depressing week of bland leftovers. Thats one downside to my creativity and the way it manifests itself. When I have everything I could possibly ask for, my confidence soars and I can create some remarkable products. However, I do NOT have the type of creativity that can make something great out of little. Isn't that the definition of creation? Ugh.

Leave it like a skin

Anyone who knows me well knows that music holds a special place in my life. I'm a private piano teacher, I got my degree in piano performance, I took piano lessons from age 8 through my college career, and I grew up in a very musical family. I love classical music, I love to listen to it, as it glides along, or bursts with rage or passion, or when it gets pensive, or peaceful. It touches my soul in some unspeakable way, telling my heart that it understands me, somehow.

Classical music does this for me, but so does popular music. Not all popular music, but many, certain songs. I can't put a quantifier on it - its not Britney Spears' music that does it for me, its not country or rap or contemporary Christian music, necessarily. Its any and all of those things, mixed in the right way, written with the right words and sung with the right intonation that reaches out and strokes my heart. It makes me ache with pain, or cry with relief, or it takes away my pain and gives me "inexpressible and glorious joy".

I've got a group of performers that have stuck with me throughout the years, and never failed to touch my heart with each and every album. Rich Mullins, Nichole Nordeman, Sara Groves, and Ginny Owens. These four happen to be contemporary Christian artists, and have naturally affected me very greatly because of our shared faith and some shared experiences. But its not only the Christian music that touches me. I connect deeply with Coldplay, Billy Joel, Norah Jones, Damien Rice, James Taylor, Fort Minor, Pete Yorn, Blue October, Alanis Morissette... I could go on forever!

Today I woke up to a big (old) life struggle. This song came up and touched my heart in a big way. I hope you like it.

Happy New Year!

Here's to 2009!