Saturday, May 19, 2012

Some weaving... finally

After more than a bit of time, I finally have some weaving to say I've done.  Not much, but I guess it's a start.

Today I picked up a shuttle and started in on the Newcomb Studio... 

As you can tell, there is a learning curve :)

I've never had a loom with an apron to tie onto.

I've not woven on a 4 harness floor loom before.

I think it's gonna be ok as soon as I tweek the harnesses a bit.  I don't have as big a shed as I'd like.  Also with one treadle I'm not getting a clean lift.  One of the pair of harnesses doesn't go as high as the other.   Also need to get used to the 6 treadles.  I'm starting out with just the two and weaving tabby, but will eventually figure out some other fun stuff to do with this.  This loom is a little taller than my other loom so there is getting used to that, also.  Good thing I like trying out new things!

After that I felt the need for some familiarity, so I went ahead and warped up the Union with a table runner warp.  I've got a random batch of colors for weft, so with this warp I went 1/2 of the warp strings off white and the other 12 colors are all different. 

This warp is only 6 sections wide.  It's fun how the colors all work with this green.  Over the width of the runner, each of the colors only shows up six times.  I've got reds, browns, blues, and greens all mixed in here.  It will be fun to see how this warp plays with different materials.

It feels good to do some creating...

The last couple of months have been pretty hectic.  Especially this last month.  I've had the graduations and last weekend I spent 5 days away from home moving a daughter to Arizona.  We drove 2 days, tried to set up an apartment in two days, and I flew home on the last day.  Went to work the next :)  Today is the first day off I've had since May 7th...  Either working or traveling and unpacking. 

We are having a nice cool day here today after a week of warmish and humid weather.  The pony girls came up and I couldn't resist a couple of pics of them -

The girls are fat and sassy and shiny from the spring grazing.  I haven't touched them but for a pat or a scratch here and there.  O to find some time and energy to just BE with them!

Still working night shift, but maybe a light at the end of the tunnel?  I'm not getting excited as I don't want to be disappointed yet again.  Daughter 2 is home job hunting.  I haven't had to cook, and she does some cleaning :)

Dear son has decided to come home for the summer - but he's going to attempt to live with his dad.  He is negotiating with me on what I should pay him to do some random projects around the place.  I'll probably have to bite the bullet and pay him, cuz I sure am not getting that stuff done myself!  I just might not have to mow this summer - for a small sum of money that is -  LOL!

Anyhoo- all for now.  I'm feeling like going down and weaving another runner :)

Julie

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Proud mom, with just a little guilt

Yesterday's graduates:

My "middle child". 
This is her self inflicted title as really she is one of first born twins. 
 Just happened to be second one out.  She jumped into the world feet first.  Yup - breech.

Graduated yesterday magna cum laude with a Marketing degree.
Not sure but I think her minor is Web Design and possibly she ended up with an English minor, too?



My "first born" child,
 First born twin, who led the way out.

Graduated yesterday cum laude with  a Journalism degree.
Her minors are Equine Science and maybe Marketing?  

I can't keep track of all these minors - they've made the decisions about it all, so I haven't worried too much about it :)  They are smart girls and know what they want!


As to how to decide which to go to?  I let their father say where he was going and I went to the other.  There dad chose to go to Lexi's (he thought it would be shorter), and so I went to Leah's. 



Leah knows what's next....   This Thursday she and I are heading to Arizona to get her settled into an apartment before her first day of work on the 15th.  She was hired by the magazine she interned with last year.  She is going to be their new Managing Editor!  wow...   

Lexi knows she's coming home to me as she searches for employment.  We are hoping she will find something soon.  Lots' of resumes and phone interviews have been happening, but so far, no offers on a career type marketing position.  Only minimum wage seasonal type things.  If she's gonna work for 7.25$ an hour, she'll live here and do it.  A person can't make ends meet on there own at that rate.

My next two weeks will be challenging.  Helping Leah gather and prepare for a cross country move in 3 days.  Throw in 3- 12 hour shifts.  A lawn to be mowed, laundry to be done, bills to be paid - the normal stuff.  Work until 4 am on Thursday morning, shower and get in a car and drive.  Two day trip hopefully.  Get apartment, furnish apartment.  Fly home Monday night.  Work 3 more 12 hour shifts before a day off. 

Hope I make it til May 18.  That will be my next day of nothing.   Pray for me, OK?

Friday, May 4, 2012

Graduation

My beautiful girls are graduating from college tomorrow.

Have I mentioned they go to different colleges?

In different towns?

Sigh... mother guilt here.  

Wish I could be in two places at once.