so much for new years?

So . . . my new years resolution worked out so well last year I thought about doing it again ;) Not many people read my blog and care but I know a few of you do. It's been about a year and a half since I posted last so I will see if I can let you know what happened this past year or so. 


2011


First in April, we were close to fighting a wildfire that was just a few miles from us. Well 10 or 15 but there wasn't much to stop it but the WONDERFUL volunteer firefighters that were out there 24/7 watching and making sure it didn't jump the highway. I couldn't thank them enough, and did every time we went to town and I saw someone with TFS (Texas Forest Service) in a store or something. There were only dry fields to stop the fire if it had jumped. Anyways, they kept it back and we were lucky enough to not have to sell off every piece of livestock we had, like some people did. There was such an outpouring from the communities in the area, donating food, water, everything. Some people donated the use of livestock trailers and the expo center in Angelo allowed people to house their stock there until something else could be figured out. Made me proud to live here. 


In May we went to redo the floor in the bathroom of the house and there had been a water leak UNDER the linoleum that was there and the subfloor was rotten. Great. We had noticed wobble in the toilet and the floor gave some but didn't think it was something like that, since the house was so old anyways. So we got Jordan's family to clear out all of their stuff from the TINY house next door to his parents and we moved in. So we went from an almost 800 square foot house to one that was about 6 or so. Plus had the added bonus of a built in Pool Table. which takes up quite a bit of room. We've got a lot of our stuff in this house, the stuff we use or the stuff that's too important/expensive to keep in the other rotting house :P Which means we're pretty cramped here. Make the best of your situation? Oh and Jordan graduated from College whoop whoop. That was a great day! 


All summer we dealt with grumpy toddler being inside most of the time because we had one of the hottest, driest summers ever. Over 100 days where the temp hit 100 or above. There was so little rain that most of the people in the area sold off what livestock they had (if they had any after the fires). Jordan's dad and Jordan, and sometimes me. Worked tooth and nail to feed the livestock, keep water to the tanks and stuff and make sure everything was okay. We ended up not having to sell much over what we would have in a normal year but there was quite a bit of money put into feeding. Luckily we had hay left from the previous year or we'd have sold out too probably. We ran out of hay right before the colder months and ended up buying some but not as much as we thought. Jordan tried to find work, but as you all know, that wasn't happening. So he just worked the ranch. 


In July/August, I got my first opportunity to do a sample knit for someone, that was a blast. But it still isn't published so I still can't talk about it ;) I worked testing patterns too. Well I guess that's not really 'work' in the sense that I got paid for it but you know. 


October Jordan and his dad were able to go off the ranch, leaving us women in charge ;), and take on a hunt they had both been wanting to do. Antelope in the panhandle. Jordan and his dad took forever (in August and September) buying all of their new fancy equipment and I think they had just as much fun doing that as the trip itself. They were gone for like 3 days. 


When the fall came around things on the ranch slowed down a little, don't have to feed as much in the winter and stuff. And then at the beginning of December a friend of the family's came out and mentioned in passing they were hiring at the place he worked! So Jordan got an interview, and Got the job! whoo whoo. It was in insurance so he spent the rest of December doing course work to get licensed. whoo hoo. In January he started his job. 


In 2012, 
Well aside from Jordan starting his job in January, the kiddo turned 4! How did that happen?


February, Jordan went to a schooling for a week! It was the longest we'd been apart since we've been together. But everyone was fine and everything went off without a hitch. 


I'm sure other things of importance have happened but I don't remember when everything happened ;) 


I did 2 other samples for 2 different yarn companies, did a lot more testing. Am working on my 4th sample and possibly 5th pretty soon. It's a ton of fun. I'm working on knitting myself my first sweater sweater, it's a test too ;) Made great friends on Ravelry, one of which I consider my best friend, she came around at the beginning of 2011 and we've talked almost every day since then. A good friend of Jordan's moved back to San Angelo and we've been going out with him and his wife every month or so for dinner. 


OH last month, May, FINALLY saw our other house getting lifted and leveled. We waited a whole YEAR for that to happen because we were having to wait on someone else to make the call. Finally Jordan's dad gave him the authority to do it and it got done. Now we've got to fix the cracks from lifting it a foot, replace all of the windows, and fix holes in the floor from the leveling and water leak. We're supposed to wait 30 days to do that so now, pretty soon we can get someone out to start on that. Also plan to remodel the kitchen sometime and paint the whole house. But we're thinking it'll probably be another year or so that we're here in this tiny house. One bedroom. yap it's fun. :P 


Sometime this year, don't remember the month, I got in contact with a long lost brother, through facebook. Long lost sister too I'm pretty sure happened last year. 


This has been a busy year. We're hoping the drought doesn't continue on like last year. We're hoping we can keep our sheep and cows. We're hoping the markets go up for both so that some money can be made back. Now that Jordan's working with the insurance and on the ranch, I'm really going to have to get my drivers license ;P and we applied for kiddo to start preK this year. We'll find out about that next month. If he does, I'll get my license, a car, and a job in town to do while he's in school. It'll be fun. He did great when we went in there, they let him play with everyone while we filled out paperwork and he did smashingly :D that's my boy. :D he's just the cutest thing, he's getting to be so polite and it just makes me so happy. The other day at Walmart he met a couple guys that Jordan knew. When we went to leave, before anyone else, he stuck his little hand out to the guys, shook their hands, and said "it was nice meeting you." They about smiled their heads off. Me and Jordan too. So great to see someone with some respect nowadays ;) lol I sound old. :P 


I've been thinking I want an SLR but I'm not sure yet. It's a lot of money. I would LOVE to have photos in magazines but I'm sure there's tons of people who want that. Plus I wouldn't even know where to start. hmm. I'm rambling now so it must be time to stop writing. I'm sure I missed a bunch of stuff that happened this past year but I've got a headache now and don't feel like thinking much ;) 


Hope everyone did well, and is still doing well. :D 

hahaha happy New Year.... finally...

I am thinking that I need to remember my blog more often, every so often I do think about it but don't post, but today I decided to post my first post of the year so far. Life is far too lifey and I have a ton of stuff I would like to rant about after I talk about yarny stuff...

I've been so addicted to lace right now like always, and have like 3 shawls on the needles. All of them aren't "due" until April/May but why not get a good start. They're like Mother's Day stuff. For our anniversary I got some yarn made by Yarnia, which has a brick and mortar place in Portland but you can get yarn custom made online. Anyways, I got an alpaca/cashmere blend that is DREAMY. I made an Aeolian out of it that blocks out bigger than a full sized bed! It's so luscious I can't get over it. One of these days I'll make me something else again. I've ordered some yarn from Colourmart and am patiently waiting for that, I can't wait for it to get here.

Now for my rants:
First off- I am horrified to be an American Mom... here's my reasoning... last night we watched the news, they're talking Lawsuits against McDonalds because of toys in their happy meals. Well yeah, they've always had those, always had the same food basically since I was little. The parents are now saying that they shouldn't have toys because the food is bad for them. Okay... don't go there and get a happy meal. Don't feed your kids that food so often it leads to an obesity problem. Oh wait that's not your problem? I don't see how it's not. I'm tired of parents sitting on their hiney's wondering why their kids are the way they are. You feed your kids, you should play with your kids, YOU should be monitoring what is going on with your kid. I never understood why parents do stuff like this, or just people in general. Who eat out way too much then sue the restaurant for making them fat. Well make your own food, order something healthier, eat somewhere else. One parent on the news said my kid wants the toy so we go there.... uh, I don't know about anyone out there but my kid knows what no means. He knows when I say it I mean that we're not doing that. I don't care how cool the toy is you're not getting it. My kiddo is only 3 but he's only eaten there like twice. We eat at Sonic but he's not going to get his toy just because he got a kids meal. There's more to it than that. Yeah eat your food. Be good. But you're not getting it just because you ask for it. I don't understand that at all.... No. Cook your kids food. Don't blame it on everyone but yourself. Take accountability for yourself. Why do people not know this anymore. I thoroughly believe that I was born in the wrong time, or just raised differently then most people my age. I'm tired of all the stupid stuff they do... oh I got pregnant well man up and do something about it... oh you don't like the dad, well you slept with him?! Really? You don't want to be married? Get a divorce, don't put your family through cheating. You don't remember last night? Stop drinking/doing drugs. Man I just don't get it. I have a kid with a man I love, I would never dream of cheating on him or getting drunk or doing any drugs right now. I have a family. Yeah I'm in my early twenties but I guarantee you I'm nothing like most people my age and I'd appreciate that you get to know me before you cast your dispersions. Ugh. I feel a little better getting that off of my chest. It's just been driving me crazy!!!

I hope everyone is doing well... there's sickness running through the family right now so I hope that gets better soon! Bye everyone :D

Why hello there

I am still around... I promise I am... Though I have been neglecting many things. This blog being the hardest hit. :D Things have been crazy around here. Ranch stuff is at that time where EVERYTHING has to be done like at once. The kid is doing great and I am just amazed by him all the time, the way he talks and sings. There's definitely nothing better. Earlier he was on Jordan's back rocking him singing him "rock-a-by-baby." All by himself. ;) I've been knitting like crazy and at the same time, don't really feel like knitting. It's a very weird situation. Uh, my sister and her kids came to stay with my parents while her husband got everything ready for moving... no one was expecting her, she called on like Thursday saying guess what we'll be there Sunday... uh really?! And then there she was. That's been fun. We don't always get along. To say the least. :D I'm at fault she's at fault... it's just our thing I guess. You'd think her being away for 3 years would be enough but it wasn't. Whatever though. My phone got broke. Jordan's niece is still sick... she got measles and mumps but I won't get into that. They're still not in their new house... still out on the ranch. After a year when they said a few months but things happen and it hasn't been that bad. Christmas is coming up and J is finally getting it. He wants so bad to go see Santa to tell him what he wants. And every time he sees a toy he says maybe for Christmas mommy? uh... we'd be in debt so bad ;).

I've got a few gifts knitted done. Though I still have quite a bit. I've knitted a few things for Jordan's niece a thing or two for mine. J's finally getting something big knitted for him. Hum-a-buzz by Rachel Erin, doing the 4T size and hoping it'll still fit him next year... he's finally starting to grow a lot more. We've been fighting insurance and what-nots from the wreck still... way back in August. It's worn me out beyond belief. I still have a hard time in the truck especially if I pay attention to what's going on around us. It sucks a lot.

I'm working on a shawl for my grandmother, the sweater, I've got three or four pairs of fingerless gloves to do (half done with three sets and one I haven't started.), a neck warmer, and I'm kinda working on a scarf. That's probably not all of the projects on my needles right now but it's all I can think of that need to be done by Christmas or sooner. Jordan wants his gloves by the end of hunting season, but I might have postponed that by adding thumbs to a pair I made him a couple years ago. The neck warmer and one of the pairs of gloves are for my aunt. The two other pairs of gloves are for Jordan's mom and sister. I don't know what else I need to make but I'm sure something will come up. Ugh.

We tried to go out shopping today but it just wasn't working out...WAY too many people still, even when we braved the ride to town at two o'clock. Crazy stuff. I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and that you have plenty to be thankful for... I know I do

I have a wonderful family, son, and fiance. My Fiance's family is truly awesome as well. They do so much for us, especially his dad. For the most part we all have our health. Jordan's niece seems to be getting better. Jordan's going to be finished with school soon. There's just so much to be happy about. Of course there's things I wish I could change, but I can't so there's no point dwelling on those, Just keep your eyes on those things that make you smile... Like your two year old singing to his daddy, or those special kisses you get from your honey (or kid), all of the I love you's that you hear, or even more simple things like the cool air, or a gorgeous sunset... I'm feeling very happy tonight... which says a lot because I've had a VERY rough past few months... I think it's time for our life to calm down and let us appreciate all of this stuff more. :D Enjoy your time with family and friends :D

Jessica

Oh what fun

So I'm still here. Live and knitting :). I've been working on a lot of things here recently. My favorite so far is a snake pattern I'm testing! I was just absolutely excited to test this but it almost wasn't possible. You see I was testing a sweater at the time (and you can't test more than one big project at a time on this deal.) I was SO close to finishing when the designer posted it for testing. I begged and pleaded with myself to finish the sweater quicker so I could test the snake. After a few hours watching the thread and knitting etc not many people had showed interest so I was secretly happy. But then all of a sudden everyone pounced. I wasn't done :( and she filled her need for testers. Man was I bummed. I ended up staying on the ball and finishing my sweater. Then I noticed that some testers dropped out so I slid in all slick like and asked nicely if I could test and she said yes!!! yay for me. Anyways, so I'm testing a boa constrictor pattern. 5 charts long and I've got 2 done. They've been done for a little while just waiting on her to get out the third one. I'm still waiting on the sample knit thing but it's given me a lot of time to work on other stuff too. I made a Whirligig sweater for a Christmas present, tested a hat pattern, made a little toy, and a pair of fingerless gloves. I'm so productive. I found a really cute kid poncho pattern that I'll make for one of my niece's for Christmas and still have to figure out about the other. Plus what I'm making for everyone else. I know (and have started on) a shawl for my grandmother, it's an off-white color and the pattern is really pretty. I'm doing it in acrylic so I can block it and she won't have to worry about that. I might do a different test knit for the woman I did the frog sweater for, for my son. I'm crossing my fingers that things line up for that. Also on my plans/needles is a prototype for a bonnet for people who do reenactments. Not really my normal stuff, considering I'm designing it and it's not something that I'll get use out of but why not challenge myself? I don't know what else is up, Oh wait. My sister is opening up shop making hair bows. She's got a deal going on facebook and will have a website up and running soon. On Facebook she's ingenious creations now. I think that'll be her website too but it won't get you anywhere now. She does the cutest bows ever. I don't have a little girl so I can't help her but maybe someone out there has one or grand kids, neighbors, etc that could use them. I hope you're all doing well.

oh man/car wreck

So, we were in an accident on Thursday. It was pretty bad. Well we were rear ended, the whole family (The midget included). Going to meet Jordan's mom and sister to eat at Olive Garden. There was a truck and trailer in front of us turning in and we had to come to an almost complete stop because they were going so slow. Anywho, I saw it all coming and he nailed us. I didn't black out or close my eyes or forget anything that happened. I looked in the mirror... I think I'd be better off if I hadn't because that's what's stuck with me... the image of the car. The guy hit us so hard he turned us 180 degrees. You could tell he tried to miss us, hitting mostly on the drivers side of our car, but he couldn't. Our car is pretty totaled. I remember watching it all happen, I heard the sound of the metal, saw the world go spinning by. Then I turned and looked at Jeyton and he started crying. I mean yeah he was absolutely terrified. I don't think I could have done what I did any quicker. I unbuckled, hit Jordan (he looked dazed and like he might be coming to, he said everything went black then he came to with Jeyton crying), got Jeyton out of the car seat and us out of the car. Jordan got out pretty quick after us, he had to climb out the passenger door because it was damaged to bad on his side. Part of it was already messed up from when it was Jordan's grandma's car and the wreck messed it up that much more. Anyways, the other guy was bleeding from his airbag going off but seemed okay all things considered. I was almost crying, shaking so bad I could hardly hold Jeyton and trying to talk as calm as I could so he wouldn't freak out. Then Jeyton said the funniest thing and I felt a little better. We had walked to the back of the car and Jeyton goes "oh wow, somebody broke our car." The man behind the guy that hit us stopped and called 911, then started helping traffic around us. I wish I could have talked to him but there was so much going on I didn't get the chance. He was an older (than me) guy, maybe 30-40's driving a green/blue older model pick-up. There was so much going on I couldn't get a good look at things. Jeyton got excited when the cops/firetruck/ambulance showed up and made it harder to concentrate on everything. Jordan's mom came out, she was already in Olive Garden, and took Jeyton for a bit. We deal with all of the stuff, talk to EMTs cops, etc and finally get to go in. Jordan wanted to eat before we went to the hospital and I needed a drink more than anything. The force of the hit was so hard it threw our front seats all the way back and into the fully reclined position, Jeyton's foot had gotten caught between my seat and the center console but it only pulled his shoe off, he's not hurt. Though today he told us his neck hurt and I could imagine. Jordan ate and we got some tea and his family had already ordered (we told them to while we were getting things done) so we sat with them till Jordan's brother in law got off work and drove into Angelo so Jordan's sister and niece could get the rest of the stuff they needed to and we could use their truck. When we went to get the ticket, we didn't have to pay, they had taken care of it. That says a lot for them. We loved that place before but even so now. Though we might go a different way next time we go. We went to the ER, got into rooms fairly quick, but waited in there for over 2 hours. Basically the first lady didn't care, she barely touched me, looked in Jeyton's eyes and ears and told me he was fine and I had whiplash. Jordan was told the same thing. We left there and went to get the rest of the stuff out of the car, at least what we could, and headed home. It was such a long day. Yesterday was just about as long. It was awful, I hurt so bad, my neck and my left leg. Jordan's neck was killing him too and Jeyton was trying to get a cold. So it was terrible. Today hasn't been a whole lot better but we're trying to get back to where we can do normal things without grimacing. Walking is a bit hard for me, and I don't really know why my leg is hurting, it's the muscle though so who knows. Maybe over extended. Okay, I think I feel a little better talking about it.
On the knitting front, I'm trying to make me two sweaters (one's a test) and I signed up for a sample knit that I'm waiting for the yarn/contract/pattern for. I'm trying to knit to keep my mind off of stuff but it's not working as well as I thought. Whatever. I hope that everyone feels better than me, and That I get better soon. I seem to be the only one here that's whining ;)

check it out... it hasn't been months :D

so I'm proud of myself it hasn't been ages since I've last posted! It has been busy here though, Jeyton got bit my something and we ended up having to take him to Angelo, to the ER! It was horrible, to know something is wrong with your baby. :( Anyways, I've been busy knitting and frogging and all sorts of stuff. I joined my first swap, in a group called Mugs on Wishes on Ravelry. Everyone is so nice there, and well, I'm just excited about doing it. I've finished the test knit I'm doing and I think I'm going to frog the gloves that I was doing and start again. Somewhere my row numbers got away from me so I'm going to start over and keep better track this time. I've cast on for Endpaper Mitts by Eunny Jang, I just really wanted a colorwork project on my needles, I missed it so! I'm using Knit Picks Palette in a teal and a brown. I think it's gorgeous! I still can't look at that one shawl so I might just put it away for a while. I wish I could get some okay superwash wool here... but alas. I want to make me something... again... I'm a selfish knitter sometimes. :) but I'm okay with that. I haven't really touched a few of my project just because I'm still not feeling it... I hate that aspect of my life... but you know what, that's okay too because I've come to terms with that. I'm wishing right now to have a little quite time... just for me but today, I have to clean while Jeyton's taking a nap, I just don't want to listen to Little Einsteins much longer :( But then again it is better than Jeyton crying because I turned it off. sigh... hopefully today will get better.

A little life a little knitting

So things have been pretty interesting in life right now. We've been trying to do things to the house to get it more livable because we don't know how much longer we'll be here and it's not a great house. Whatever though cause it's free. :) But on the down side I'm starting to get depressed again and even knitting isn't pulling me out this time. Normally I can knit lace or something and seeing it emerge and blossom helps me out so much, like I'm accomplishing something, but not now. I've got like 7 projects on needles right now and can't keep working on one or another because I just can't stand it. It sucks but not much I can do about it. Just cross my fingers and hope it goes away on it's own. :)

Uh on the knitting front, I've made three shop samples for Wool n Cotton, a Purse out of Lanaloft yarn (by Brown sheep) from my own pattern, a little scarf thing out of Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton, and a mini-Swallowtail out of Cascade Alpaca Lace. I'm so happy Judith is getting so much new yarn at Wool n Cotton!!!
On my needles right now:
Jaywalker socks in Knitpicks Imagination in Mermaid Lagoon... but my dog decided to chew on them so I have to fix them before I can continue on.
I have the Echo Flower shawl in a local lace weight yarn on size 7 needles
Vernal Equinox Shawl in Worsted weight yarn, Black Paton's Classic Wool to be exact and green seed beads. I'm only on the third chart though so IDK about all that.
Spring Thaw Shawl, done in Lion Brand Fisherman's wool dyed by me with Wilton's food color.
Lung Wang is another project done in Lace Weight local yarn, it's by MMario (Rav user name) and it's circular and has dragon's on it.! But I ran into some fun with that so it's hibernating for now... till I can stand to look at it again. Big mess!
Last but not least is a test knit for a dress. I won't go into details on it until I know how secret the designer wants it to be but her website is Armyofknitters.com and she has the most gorgeous work ever!!! I'm in love... with the designs of course.
Oh I lied I have gloves on needles for my uncle for Christmas Dashings to be exact.
I'm thinking I should start finishing projects now... but who knows. Because a lady that lives around here made the most gorgeous shrug/sweater thing EVER and I have to have one so it might become my 8th project on needles. or ninth ;) Anyways I guess that's all I'm doing. I hope everyone has less projects on needles than me. And doing better in general.
Peace out.