She don't call, she don't write...

Where the hell have I been?  In the same place and doing the same stuff.  I guess when you are retired, a year can just zip by.  My life just flows from day to day, then week to week, etc.

My grandchildren are the best in the world, just as everyone else's are to them.  Natalie had a fabulous Harry Potter christmas.  She has a quidditch robe, goggles, broom and  a golden snitch.  She is having a bit of difficulty getting her broom to fly and her wand to do spells, but she keeps at it.  Maybe someday...
Erik, now 3, loves trains, cars, planes, and anything that requires an engine.  He also loves my chickens and is thrilled when he gets to hold one.
Zane is a year and a half now and loves cuddly things.  He likes to sit in a pile of stuffed animals and observe his brother and sister.  He recently pushed back when his brother pushed him out of his way. Zane was sneaky about it and sneaked up behind Erik and shoved him in the back. Erik was certainly surprised.  This is the beginning of a long term relationship, with its ups and downs.  They'll get it sorted out over the next few years.
Grover is writing an article about the Lincoln Highway for a magazine.  He is also researching and writing a book on the same subject.  His love of the old cars and roads are keeping him busy inside when it is too cold or rainy to enjoy the outdoors in his 1919 Model T Ford.
I have been knitting snowmen.  I made a 3 last year and gave them to Sarah for her children.  They were a big hit and Rachel wanted her own set.  This year I knitted 5 for Rachel and 2 little ones for Sarah.  The pattern is called Snobuddies and is from Knitting at Knoon.  It seemed like I was knitting them for weeks and weeks.  Then I knit their accessories:  hats, scarves, etc.  They turned out incredibly cute.  I never took a picture so you'll have to imagine very cute snow families.  I am finishing up a sweater for Erik, and am working on a scarf for Natalie in Griffyndor colors for Harry Potter.  There is a Harry Potter club that is sponsored by the library and she is a charter member.  Such fun.  She is hoping to get an invitation to attend Hogwarts in 2 years.  She can't imagine that she will ever outgrow her love of all things Harry Potter .  I never really outgrew my love of all things related to horses.

My goal of reducing my pile of uncompleted projects has been partially realized, but my yarn stash has stayed about the same.  I started quilting this past year and it slowed down my yarn utilization.  I made a bat quilt for the grandkids for Halloween, and finished a snowman quilt for them for christmas. I took several online classes in quilting and they were full of helpful information.  I have a top almost finished that is for our bed.  I had to put everything away for a couple of months.  I'll get back to it soon.

My spinning has been nonexistent.  I plan to get back to that very soon.  My weaving room has become a catchall for everything I don't need at the moment.  I need to start cleaning it up and clearing it out.  Whenever I start something, I seem to make a new mess.  I fight this constantly, but not very consistently.  I need to find a place for everything so I know where to put it and where to find it.  That is going to be my resolution for 2013.  Wish me well.

May your new year be full of love, friendship, and good health.  2013 here we come!

Whose time is worth more?

I was running errands yesterday and one of them was at the local automotive parts store.  I needed a replacement bulb for a tail light.  As I waited at the customer service counter for help, a man around my age came up to wait alongside me.  After a moment he asked me if he could be served ahead of me because he only needed one thing.  I told him I only needed one thing, but I wasn't in a hurry and he could go first.  Then, as we waited some more, I got pissed.  When an employee came up to the adjacent counter closest to me and asked if 'you folks' have been helped (I guess he assumed we were together), I said no and walked over and asked for the part I needed.  It took about a minute and I was off to pay and out the door before man who wanted to butt in line.
It got me thinking about how some/many men think about womens' time. My day has the same number of minutes that his does, but this guy seemed to think his time was more valuable than mine.  It pissed me off. We all have a limited number of minutes in our lifetime and any one could be our last.  I often let the person with only a couple of items go ahead of me at the grocery store when I have a cartload of stuff.  I give strangers a few of my life minutes all the time.  Do I ask strangers for their precious life minutes? Not on purpose.  I think they are mine to give, but not for a stranger to ask for as a matter of course.
I'm thinking I'm sounding selfish and petty, maybe it was a 'you had to be there' moment, but this wasn't the first time a man seemed to feel entitled to be first.  Has this happened to you?