Sunday, June 03, 2007

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

10 comments:

sheep#100 said...

I was hoping to spin today - then the temperature started rising - mine, not Mother Nature's. I fear that Dr PreciousMetal and I may soon see each other once more.

:: sigh ::

Not fair: Mommy is supposed to be able to enjoy the last week of school.

Teri S. said...

I was just thinking about planning out projects today. Or rather, scheduling my knitting, spinning, weaving, and quilting time. Perhaps I'd get more accomplished. Or maybe it would make me more schizophrenic. I'll have to route around to see if I can find me some index cards.

Anonymous said...

I've borrowed the Knit 2 Together book and made the mistake of telling my daughter to mark the pages of things she might like. I got the book back with no less than 9 neon post-its sticking out. Guess I need to buy my own copy!

Anonymous said...

Ooops, I meant to say 9 post its; first I wrote no less than 10 and then decided to count (apparently I was wrong as it was less than 10) :)

Anonymous said...

Well, I Googled on "index card uses" and there was actually an article with different ways to use them. One of my favorites was to use one to write your "personal mission statement." Do you have one of those? :)

Mia said...

happily snuggling with projects sounds just perfect! Enjoy your day :)


Sounds like there might be a Knit 2 together SOMETHING along this summer (grin).. make sure and add that to your list :P

Cursing Mama said...

mmm- index cards! Not for cooking - not for note taking - but for yarn/fiber cataloging. Imagine the system you could build over the summer - each stash element gets it's own card detailing what you have - where it's stashed and maybe where you got it...
You could even go crazy and on the back side list possible uses for the yarn.....

Thank goodness I don't have extra index cards. (I also don't have the stash necessary to need more that 10 or so.)

April said...

Index cards? Sheepie, were you an accountant in a former life? Maybe I should get some index cards. Hmmm ...

Ronni said...

Ack, everyone is doing all this planning and organizing and scary stuff like that! I may have to stop reading blogs for a while, otherwise I'm such a follower I'll try and do it too. And that way, madness lies.

Of course, I already have the index cards...

The Kelly Green Rogue said...

perhaps if you write on thing on each card, then list what it would take to complete the tast you'd use more cards? (yes I am geek)