Knitting and Such

Life gets back to normal around SerineKat's homestead but there are some new developments. The Husband leaves soon for work. We will miss him while he is away. I am exercising and taking better care of myself... even wearing makeup everyday! Finally, Olivia the cat says that you all 'suck'. So much has changed and Olivia never changes.

Above is a new scarf I'm working on. I started it back in 2008 but then got my carpal tunnel really bad and had to stop. I wanted to finish this before Christmas this year but it just didn't happen. Since Christmas I've knitted a good three to four feet on this baby. It's a way easy knit. I've memorized the pattern. Just time consuming because it's lace weight yarn.

This photo is of the infamous Beep! Beep! Blanket. I wanted to get it done this month but that's just not going to happen. I think this is a two month project. This is my first truely intricate multicolored project. I find myself having to go back to books often to get the technique right. Very time consuming but looking good.
I need to get another easier project on the needles before I go crazy. I need something quick and simple. I'm looking at maybe trying another Mitered Towel or dishcloth.

Home Sweet Home and My New Obsession

It's been a busy holiday season for us. Starting Monday everything goes onto the New Year Schedule. Hunter will start daycare three days a week, The Husband goes back to work full time and I get into a regular routine with the home. I need a regular routine. It's just my nature to work better until a daily plan and schedule. I'm so looking forward to Monday for this reason.
I finally took some photos of the house today. No it's not all picked up but you get the idea. We still have some painting, unpacking and general organizing to do but for the most part the living room, dinning, kitchen, my office, the master bedroom and Hunter's room are all done. Today I plan on doing some picking up and more organizing in my office.
It has been declared that today is Sara day and I can do and go where I please. So I went to The Container Store again. That place is like a shot of really good liquor. OCDer's: run to The Container Store! I've also taken photos of that lovely place so go to Flickr and enjoy. For the rest of the day I am just going to shuffle around the house. I am just a real home body. I like my house and frankly if I'm paying that much on my mortgage I better be enjoying it!

"Twas the Day After Christmas...

... And all through our home, every creature was stirring except for The Husband...
Men, they will sleep through anything without the slightest hint of guilt. God bless them. Hunter and I were up early and he is busy with his 100 new matchbox cars and trucks. He really made out good on Christmas. Heck, we all made out well for Christmas. We have a new Wii, 5 new ducks for the dog, a new knitting purse, a knitting kit, lots of new knitting books, yarn, a Slap Chop, a handmade Bunad for Hunter, and so much more! It was a good day. We had a turkey dinner and just kept a low profile.
Today I don't know what is in store. Probably more laziness. I've never been a fan of the after Christmas sales. I really don't like crowds of bargain shoppers. So, we may just stay close to home.
I"ve noticed I can't just relax. I always have to be doing something. I can't just sit and watch TV without eating, knitting, or working on something. I am a true multitasker. This is a blessing and a curse. I need to learn how to just be sometimes. Maybe I'll work on that today... HA, who am I kidding. Off to clean the bathrooms now!

Christmas Eve Pack-In

Yes, our last load of household goods arrived on Christmas Eve morning. Yippee! It only took 30 minutes for all the items to be loaded into our home. About a quarter of our Christmas gifts were in this pack-in. Thank God they arrived in time! Now I have all my yarn - at least what I could find - and am about to unpack it in my office... this might take a few hours...

Krumkake is a Norwegian thing... it's flour, butter, eggs, sugar and vanilla all thrown together and then ironed to crisp perfection and rolled into ice cream cone shapes. It can filled with cream, ice cream, fruits or nothing. It's yummy. I make Krumkake every Christmas now. It's become tradition ever since my mother bought me my first krumkake iron a couple years back. Well, The Husband I decided to make the Krumkake and other goodies for a neighborhood Christmas gathering tonight. Only we made the Krumkake early so we wouldn't have to rush today. Dumb. The massive shift of humidity onto San Antonio the last 48 hours coupled with a dryer line that isn't quite clamped down has turned crispy pastries into moldable weridness. They still taste great but I can't in good conscious serve this to my new Texas neighbors. Oh well, guess there's more Krumkake for me...

Ahhhhhh

Yeap, it's pretty much done. We're moved in. At least me, the kid and the animals. The Husband likes to unpack his stuff at his own leisure... which is usually three to four months behind mine. The main living areas are done, the bedroom is done and Hunter's room is done. Just the guest bedroom and The Husband's office need to be unpacked and organized. It feels good.
The photo is taken from my office looking towards the kitchen and then the dinning room beyond. We don't have a camera right now because the charger is in the shipment from Idaho that is due in on Christmas Eve. I know, dumb. Anyhow, once I get the camera I will post a few photos to entertain you all with.
Today I went to a learning center to scope out care for Hunter. I like to have him in daycare three days a week... it gives him a chance to have fun and get some energy out and socialize and it gives me a break to get things done and have me time. I think I've found a place that covers all my bases. It's only a mile and a half from the house and Hunter loves it. I took him with me for the interview and tour and he ran into the play room and took out all the cars and trucks to play with and was hyper focused on nothing but those for the rest of the time. When we had to leave he screamed and cried and kicked. He did NOT want to go. Further proof that getting him out a few times a week is vital, he loves it.
I have to take a moment now and talk about a total indulgence. It's called The Container Store. I often see items from this store in magazines like Real Simple and Martha Stewart Living. It's a store dedicated to organizing stuff. It's a OCD dream! I really had to hold myself back there. It's similar to IKEA in that it's simple design and sleek. The prices are a little over the norm but the products are fantastic. I ended up getting a few Stockholm Office Storage Boxes, a couple of Stockholm Desktop File Boxes, a Page'Up, a Bulletin & Magnetic Strip, a Pull Out Basket for the kitchen, and an Aluminum Can Crusher just to name a few. The whole shopping experience was orgasmic. Can't wait to go back again someday soon!
I hear the whining of my little man. Nap time must be over now... back to my life.

Progress

Today I can report that I feel that progress has finally been made in our house. I have cleared enough boxes and developed enough living space free of moving debris that I feel we are finally getting somewhere! I know that my view of progress is skewed. I spent many good years a money in therapy learning and acknowledging this... still it remains... at least I am aware.
The living room is looking good, only 6 boxes remain on the first floor... most have enormous rugs that need to be hung and laid on the dinning room floor -- which needs to be steam cleaned... that's today's chore. Upstairs I was able to empty and put away 10 boxes in the master closet in just one hour this morning. Now I just want to sit for awhile while my little man takes a morning nap.
Now for a cultural lesson: I got my local channels on my Directv today. Over half are spanish speaking channels. Wow. Maybe now is the time to really learn spanish. I took three years in high school and never really got great at speaking the language. I can say a few things and I am learning more through hours of 'Handy Manny' on the Disney channels. Living in a place like San Antonio it's very obvious that white english speaking natives are rare. In order to have a thorough and diverse experience here I think it is time to bite the bullet and actually learn a language inside and out. So, do I watch 'Judge Mathis' today or "Necesito una Amiga'? Choices.

Ugh...

Still unpacking... still hating it! I think I've finally reached a point where I don't care if the closets or trim are painted... I just want to unpack already! Today has been more of the same.. unpacking the first floor. I could move to the second but my energy is on the fritz and the security installation people are here hogging up much of my time. I think it's time for a nice cold Dt. Pepsi and a TV break... to be continued...

Day Two In San Antonio

It's still quite early here in Texas. I'm waiting for my meds to kick in and wake me up. Again I am dreading the day ahead of me with unpacking. Hunter is a 'pistol' today - that's what my mother called it on the phone. He's up and into everything and talking up a storm about all he's doing. I am like a limping old dog. My body is very sore and my focus is very .... oh look a squirrel! Well, you get the idea.
Good news about the weekend is that The Husband has hired a friend to come out and help again with painting. They will both be working on rooms that I haven't unpacked yet... so I'm off for the weekend. If I can just get the first floor done today then there's little if anything for me to do on Saturday and Sunday. I'm thinking of going to Austin to IKEA. Of course I'll be doing this with Hunter... a bit tricky but doable.
Ugggggggh... ok back to going through boxes. Right now I'm working on the office boxes which are all mixed up. The Husband and I shared an office back in WV but now are on different floors here in TX. Lots of carrying boxes up and down the stairs... my poor back!

Sunrise in San Antonio

Today was my first day in San Antonio. It was a beautiful morning. The sunshine coming in our living room was perfect. Our old place in West Virginia didn't have as many windows... I love my windows here. I got off to a slow start unpacking but after taking my ritalin I was a woman possessed. Hunter kept himself busy with whatever he'd find. I got most of the kitchen unpacked and am working on the dinning and living rooms. Tomorrow I plan on getting those done and at least half of my office area.
I haven't made it out to town yet. I will hopefully get to do that this weekend.
Ahhhhh... I think my ibrophren is kicking in... relaxing.