Catching Up...

So, I have the following to add to the finished objects list...and my queue of upcoming is getting longer by the day!  This is when I would love to still be unemployed so I could work on them so much more!

I have an afghan (for me) that has been in progress for over a year.  A friend has finished hers, and is definitely inspiring to get mine done.  However, in the meantime, I have (as of today) 14 (omg, FOURTEEN) pieces that are on "order", not counting the two that are in progress.  THIS is why I could never do this for money.  My life is busy, and sadly things end up going by the wayside. (In other news, I'm actually trying to un-busy my life some this year...not a resolution so much as an overall goal.)

On the needles now is a hat for CMM that I promised him months ago, but thankfully, 1) he's understanding, and 2) he took forever deciding on what colors and 3) kept forgetting to get me his noggin measurements.  Pictures will be posted after he receives his hat, as I never like spoiling the surprise for the recipient.

In the meantime...two finished objects to show!  One for Shannon, as a birthday present (I busted butt on his, I had a short turnaround!) and then there was Philip's Roar.  What could be better for a 2 year old who loves dinosaurs??

Up first: Shannon's Dream Catcher.  Same pattern as Bailey and Robin's hats, but without the pom-poms!

This is the picture that arrived at my phone right after he opened his package!

Up next:  Birthday Boy Philly's Dino!

But of course, how CUTE does little brother Jake look in Philly's Roar hat???

Munchkin-Love

I am a lucky girl.

I have amazing friends who have absolutely adorable kids.

Now, don't get me wrong, when I become an aunt by blood, I'm gonna be all over that...but in the meantime (and trust me Sister and Sister In Law, no rush...) I will continue to be Auntie Jolene to some of the cutest munchkins in the land.

I would have to say that list is at about 7 kiddos right now.  I'm not trying to play favorites, but those are the ones that immediately come to mind.

So to my munchkins, Kathryn, Brent, Phillip, Jake, Bailey, Grace and Jackson...Auntie Jolene loves you so much!!!!

Kathryn, Brent, Phillip and Jake

Photo by LifeReflected Photography

Bailey

Grace

Jackson

Oh the Life of the Unemployed...

So, as of Dec 2, I became unemployed.  Something that is definitely scary in this economic climate.  (Wow...that was very grown up sounding.)  I wrote about this earlier in a short blurb here, and I promise this won't be a misery-laden diatribe.  (That word was for my Scrabble loving sister in law and BFF English teacher...)

I have honestly LOVED being unemployed.  I know that sounds so weird.  I was lucky to get severance pay so I have had income...but I've been able to spend time resting (something I'm not normally too familiar with), knitting and crocheting (something I am so loving), spending quality time at the gym (something I need to still be better about) and spending time with good friends (something I always love).

I was lucky enough to be able to enjoy this unemployment over the holidays, so I could actually relax and enjoy the holidays for one of the first times since working retail.  I seriously think everyone should be forced to work at Target the day after Thanksgiving and WalMart the day after Christmas at LEAST once in their lives, so that they will have a respect for those that do that every day anyways.  (sorry...sidenote...)

I am now amongst the employed once again, and I can with all honesty, say that I didn't miss it.  The office politics, the waking up at a "decent" hour (although, to be honest, my body never adapted to my "vacation", I still woke up at 745 every morning), the need for caffeine to be functioning, etc.  However, it's the patients I did miss.  The interaction with some amazing folks, and some, well folks that are just going through some really hard times in their lives.  I look forward to being able to help them again.

As I did say above, I did get some serious knitting and crochet time while I was w/o a job.  I love how portable this hobby is.  Throw it in a bag...and go.  I've posted some of the stuff I've done, just need to catch up on a few others...

Employment...here we go...