Clearing The Decks.

My first thought upon awaking this morning was of index cards.

OK...that's not really true. My first thought was actually something like, "Hrumph..gurgle...shrobtufoofle..." And then I went back to sleep for another hour and a half.

Which was something of a problem. Because when I woke up the second time, I had the whole index card thing going on. And I needed to get to the store very, very quickly. Because, late last night as I was greedily running my fingers through the vast variety of lovely fibers currently living in my home and awaiting their turn on the wheel, I had a realization. Having many new fibers to spin means...well...you have a lot of fiber to spin. This could mean only one thing!

I needed a plan!!!

Now, truth be told, this really isn't all that big a deal. I have two more weeks of school and then the summer is upon me. I will have plenty of time to do many of the things I want to do. But, having experienced nigh on twenty summer vacations in my professional teaching career, I am fully aware of how short the vacation can seem when you have decided to do too many things. And I frequently over-reach in my goal setting. Still...it wasn't going to hurt to prioritize things a little bit. A list would be just the thing to help me out with this planning process.

I live in a home with plenty of paper products, many of which are suitable writing surfaces. I have Post-It notes, writing tablets, fancy stationery, memo pads and used envelope backs. Any of these would have done the job. But, I had it in my head that only index cards were going to do the trick for this project and there was no convincing me otherwise. I needed to go to the store and I needed to go quickly.

Despite having slept later than I meant to, I made it to the grocery store to do the weekly marketing without incident and index cards were procured. I scampered home, pleased as punch with my high tech organizational system in hand, and hurried to put away the frozen foods in order that I might begin making the lists that would change my life as a fiber aficionado forever.

Anyone need some index cards? I used about three of 'em. The lists are fairly impressive and I may even get to half of these projects between the months of June and August. Assuming, of course, that I don't lose these lists between now and then. Which is disturbingly likely. Maybe I should hang on to the index cards...just in case.

Despite the amount of time I took out of my life (that I will never get back) thinking about lists and my burning desire for index cards, I have to admit that it was sort of fun. I rather like thinking about all the things I will soon be able to do without the time constraints of day to day employment. The loss of Job #2 will mean even more time with which to play. It will also mean less dollars with which to fund the doing of things, but I think I can live with that. I know that I probably won't get to all of it. That's OK. The planning is half the fun of it all, really.

But, like all good things, this will come to she who waits. And she who finishes up what she has going on in the here and now. Today, I finished the second bobbin of rambouillet and the plying has begun. I'm hoping to get it done tonight...we'll see how that plays out. Even if it doesn't get done, it is in the home stretch so I'm thinking it will be finished before the summer vacation commences. The spindles didn't see as much action as I'd hoped this weekend so I may try to fiddle with those a bit this week and see how far I can get on those yarns. Once spinning space is cleared, I need to return to the lamb/silk blend. That remains in the early spinning stages and plying is still pretty far in the future. That task is going to take some focus once the vacation begins.

With those projects happily snuggled up in the finished yarn drawer, I will be able to start playing with the new stuff. Summer fun, I tells ya!!

There was an index card devoted to the knitting projects as well. I'm rather excited because I just got the Knit 2 Together book and I hear that there are some really neat patterns in there. But, I don't know that for a fact...

I haven't exactly been able to read it yet.

Before I sign off for the day and begin getting ready for the first day of the last two weeks of school, I'd like to say a big, "thank you!!!!" to everyone who helped out with Mommy Sheep's quest to become a more knowledgeable quilter. And an extra big shout out to Lorraine who offered books from her very own stash to help get Mom started. I am so fortunate to have such talented and generous people in my blog circle. I knew I could count on you guys to get her off to a good start!

Have a great week!

SA