no longer working in an office

Thursday was my last day in an office situation again.  I have to admit that there is a lightness to my being by not being in an office.  It does not mean I have any less work, because that is not true.  I just think it comes down to I am happier and I am around happier people.  I definitely do not make as much money this way but what I have I appreciate more.

I was hoping to jump right back into the making I do for my shop but that is not what is going to happen.  I have a pile of mending to do for Koda Bear.  I still have making for three for Christmas.  And I am still finishing two blankets for Blue. 

My Beloved asked for four shirts.  He has work shirts that are wearing out so he would rather use what he has and I can make him new.  He gets more color that way.  His shirts are always commented on positively by other men when he is out and about.

But it means I can go forage pomegranates and see what color they dye silk.  I can go forage the same types of greens that are coming up and see what happens.  I am curious about spinach because I am told it makes a cool green.  I can sew.  Maybe I can finish one of the sweaters I am making for myself or my own mending?  Too many things for me!

And my yarn boxes!  I can work on my yarn boxes!  Blue slept in his cradle while I dressed today because, even at two weeks, he wants to move.  And I was watching him so I needed the sides.  That small boy knows when I walk into a room. 

And it is almost time to plant a garden.  I am thinking of staggering plantings so I can do a little bit at a time.  But I know that broccoli and kale needs to go.  Cauliflower would be good too.  More bell pepper plants!

Small steps.  They work.  And this is a life that makes me happy.

adjusting

There is more adjusting for me going on then I expected since Blue has arrived.  I knew it was going to be a change but I am not sure I knew how much.  More change comes tomorrow.  It is my last day in an office for a bit.

I was going to write last Sunday.  In my head, there was a plan.  That was until I spent four hours teaching ice skating.  Then there were no plans in my head except taking the time to sew.  Which was very restful but not writing.

The thing I noticed most about being in the office and still coaching plus adding the small boys in, is that I have less time to create.  I am also creating different things.  Which I admit to having fun with the plain carpentry I am doing.  I am not going to get back to that until this weekend though.  One more day in the office and the same day coaching.  If my body does not come to a standstill on Friday, I have done well.

Blue and I are actually typing this.  Most afternoons and evenings I give his Mom a couple breaks.  He "helps" me with what I am doing.  Yes, at this point in his life it is sleeping in a sling on my chest so I can have both hands free but it is his job to sleep and grow.  My job to love on him.  I am a quiet spot.

I am hoping to finish a couple blankets to go in the cradle.  The octopus was a quick crochet while we were waiting for him to be born.  It sits in his cradle.  Little steps forward.  It is all I ask.  I still have pajamas to finish for Christmas.  And my Beloved has asked for his own sling and four shirts.  Yes, my life.  It is a good life.  A happy life.  Peaceful?  In a strange way, yes.

The cradle is finished!

I will say it has been an interesting week.  Next week is my last official week in an office situation currently.  There are rumbles they hope to extend for two more weeks or have me come back.  It is the quietest space in my life right now so I can see the positives.  I am not sure what not being there will mean.  I was used to a very quiet house before I went back to office work.  I was very happy in that space.  It is not so quiet anymore so I do not know.  I was thinking I may need a camping trip with a bag of yarn, a hook, and a pile of books when it is warmer.  A present to myself.  

A present like sitting down to the computer first.  I was getting things done yesterday but mid day decided to clean up from working on the cradle.  I was a bit filthy but sore too.  I could feel crud starting so I decided to take a relaxing bath.  My body said "Relax?  You are relaxing??  Time to rest!"  I just stopped.  Oh well.  At least my voice sounds better then most of the family this morning.

The cradle is done.  Koda Bear and my Beloved stained it for me.  They also stained an Adirondack chair we had built together many years ago because it is now outside.  The rearranging of furniture due to the addition of people.  That chair fits me well and there is not a current place for it inside.

I did more sanding and coated it with polyurethane.  Twice.  It turned out well.

My thoughts on it.  I took advice on what materials to use and next time I think I would use wood instead of plywood.  I would not have been so concerned about damaging the surface while I was working on the finish.  Also, I would have gone with dimensionalized 1" by 12" which really comes down to 3/4" by 11 1/2".  I think I would have cleaner connections.  There are a few nails that came through on the bottom.  I find that I hammer better on onside usually. 

The plywood chipped a bit when I used the circular saw on it.  I think the blade needs to be changed out but I did not realize that until after the cutting was done.  I was truly just happy that I had enough skill to use the circular saw as well as I did.  I started the curves on all the egdes with it and they were finished on a grinder.  Yes, pulled out the knife making tools because that was easiest and what we had.  I may invest in a reciprocal saw if I do more of this type of work.

I still have lots of projects.  Being out of an office will help.  But then I always have lots of projects.  I just got asked for shirts this morning.  I have fabric picked out for four.  And I really need to finish my yarn boxes.  I might get a bit done on those today too.  It is cold enough outside to make it hurt your hands to work outside for very long.  I may get there.  I may not.

This is my life.

waiting

I am building a cradle.  Because a cradle is just a box with a few different angles and curves.  But I was supposed to have another week or two until Ziggy Monster was born.  That is not going to happen.  He will be born soon.  Once I get off the computer, I am going to go back to working on the cradle and see how much I get done.  He may be cooked enough to come home right away.  He may need to stay at the hospital nursery for a few days.

I have a few small projects I could take to the hospital later today.  This is the only one for me.  I am about three quarters of the way through making motifs for a the throw.  Something to keep my hands busy while I am waiting.  The yarn has been all sock yarn so the motifs are light.  It is yarn I fall in love with in a shop or market and can buy a small skein.  This has been fun.  It is fun to see how all the different skeins are making somthing very beautiful. 

I hope to have more news tomorrow.  Right now, the prayers are for a safe birth, a healthy Tall Short Person, and a healthy Ziggy Monster.  Koda Bear was thinking he would like to cut the cord but we will see.  He was a bit freaked out last night.  

I had to reread this post because I first wrote many of the same things in the last post.  My mind is on the safe arrival of Ziggy Monster and loving on Koda Bear.  The health of the Tall Short Person.  My apologies if I seem to be babbling.

for me

I was wondering why it seemed so hard to get everything done recently.  I realized that I have added eight hours or more outside the house four days a week.  That did it!

I find that when I do things like this, the first tasks that go seem to be the ones that are best for me.  Like working on motifs.  So that is what I did, I started working on motifs again.  I did give a blanket away to my Dad and I would like another. 

I am not currently sure why but I do.  Maybe it is because it is pretty.  Maybe it is all the colors.  Maybe it is the weight and the warmth.  With the rearranging going on, I feel like the correct amount of pillows and blankets has truly not been found but I keep trying!

I have also started on those boxes.  Maybe more stuff will get moved so I can get to my workspaces.  Maybe not.  This is a good first step though!