12.31.07
Posted in Redwood Living at 1:07 pm by Lynette
The last day of 2007 brings thoughts to the new year. I encourage you all to take a moment to write down your 5 goals. These can be personal, family, business or all of these. They can be for the day, week, month, year or whatever time frame you want. I’m in the process of writing my business plan for 2008 and my small business counselor encourages each client to make 5 business goals that can be measured and 5 personal goals. Review them frequently, at least monthly, readjust as needed and keep them where you can see them.
I’m sharing my 5 personal goals for 2008…
1. Walk 5 times a week to increase my lung capacity and fitness level.
2. Grow my business
3. Make the decision if we are moving by January 15th.
4. Become a supportive grandparent (this is out of my hands and going to happen in May 2008!)
5. Work on my weekly schedule. By becoming more organized I can make better decisions and become more efficient in my business and home life.
Pretty boring. Right? Oh well….Have a safe New Year.
Designate a Driver!
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12.28.07
Posted in Redwood Living at 1:56 pm by Lynette
Pets bring such joy to most people. We aquired a kitty this year. Picked her up from our local ‘Cat House’. She was very small and taken away from her mom too young. As a result she glommed onto my husband and would spend all her time in his lap or on his chair. We purchased her a bed on our trip to Bend over Thanksgiving. She would not use it, still prefered to sit in the DH’s chair.
Look what I caught her doing yesterday. Busted! Not a very lady-like pose but I think she has grown to like the bed. Have a safe and sober holiday weekend. Remember to designate a driver if you go out.
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12.27.07
Posted in Redwood Living at 9:43 am by Lynette
This Christmas at the Haven of Bliss has been less than frantic. Normal pre-Christmas activity includes cooking up batches of my Father’s English Toffee, Divinity, Rocky Road, cookies, more cookies and for some variety, cookies. On the big day there is unwrapping, stuffing oneself and napping, usually in that order.
This Christmas there was no baking, no stuffing of oneself but there was unwrapping and napping. Many friends and family have mentioned they’ve noticed the lack of baked goodies. To be honest, I’ve enjoyed not spending loads of money of sugar, chocolate and nuts. I’ve really enjoyed not having my handmade socks stick to the kitchen floor because of spilled english toffee. I’ve really, really enjoyed not having to scrub the walls down to get rid of the spray of chocolate and marshmallow from the mixer. I’ve really, really, REALLY enjoyed not having the kids with the sugar high and the extra 5 lbs I usually put on due to ‘tasting’.
Christmas was great. The oldest son and girlfriend came over for dinner and gifts. This was her first Christmas as she was raised in a non holiday celebrating home. She seemed to do fine. All the gifts were opened with many appreciative comments. Knit socks, a shawl, knit hats, and slippers. As is true with most knitters, there were items I didn’t get completed but should be able to finish up in the next 2 weeks.
I’ve reached the age where I really don’t ‘need’ anything for Christmas. Just like the DH, I have almost everything I need. Thanks to all who really thought about what I would like. The sun wand is beautiful, the wall clock will alleviate my almost constant requests for the time. The microwave will be enjoyed by the whole family. I’ll save the Sodoku toilet paper for ’special’ guests. (the box says contemplate not constipate!) The surprise gift for me was this.
an 8″ drill press given to me by the DH. This is what happens when one is as hard to buy for as I am.
A 8″ drill press.
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12.25.07
Posted in Redwood Living at 2:39 pm by Lynette
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12.20.07
Posted in Redwood Living at 10:05 am by Lynette
One of my mantras throughout my adult life is “It’s the little things that make me smile”. Yesterday morning the oldest son called to ask to borrow the truck. He and the girlfriend want to go up to the snow. Sure I said, and loaned not only the keys to the truck but chains, boots and snow clothes.
Here is what he came back with. 
This picture was taken this morning after 18 hours rain and a couple of snow ball fights.
To fully understand the significance of this truck bed full of snow you’ll need some background. As I stated before, we live in Rural America. Not a lot of big city things to do around here so the kids have come up with some traditions of their own. One is being the first high schooler with a big jacked up truck to drive up to the snow and get a bed full. Then you drive back to town, sit outside the high school parking lot and bomb anyone who comes out to get into their car with a snowball. This is great fun even though not looked kindly upon by the administration for the high school. The results are always the same, a reprimand and instruction to not throw anymore snow balls.
If you can put yourself into the shoes of a 14+ year old young man without a car, the above scenario is envied. How cool to have your own truck, get it full of snow and come back to school to bomb your fellow classmates.
My son didn’t have a truck in high school. He drove a second, second hand Ford something that we purchased for $2,000. So today’s trip up to the snow was a form of reliving his high school years.
My fun started when the DH and KT pulled into the drive around 6 pm. DJ and I had run outside to the truck which was pulled into the garage to build snowballs. We hid inside the garage and when the DH and KT pulled up and opened their car doors, we let them have it. We had them pinned down for about 5 minutes. OK, I said, we’re done. Ha Ha! Not, I threw one that not only went through the small gap in the car door but landed down the neck of the DH’s shirt. What a blast!
To finish it off, the KT and I waited for DJ this morning as we were getting ready to leave for school. We only had 4 snowballs but we nailed him never the less. KT actually got him in the head! Sure he was a bit sucked up with the head shot but he got out of the car at school with a big smile on his face.
So, as I said once again, It’s the little things that make ME smile! Enjoy the weekend.
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12.13.07
Posted in Circular Sock Machine, Redwood Living at 6:44 pm by Lynette
One of the benefits of knitting socks from other’s yarn is I get to see beautiful skeins dyed by very talented artists.
For those of you who have not taken the Buy Handmade pledge yet this year, you can go here. Thus far I’ve two customers who have purchased their yarns from ETSY stores and sent to the to me to knit socks.
They’ve taken then Buy Handmade pledge through the whole process. Not only are they giving wonderful handmade socks but the yarn is also hand dyed. I hope they share the origin of their gifts with those who receive them.
So in honor of Eye Candy Friday I give you 5 skeins wound and ready to knit into socks in their ‘natural’ state.
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12.11.07
Posted in Redwood Living at 7:06 pm by Lynette
Today’s number is 12.Twelve times I’ve driven up and down my road.
I knit 12 socks today. 
At Twelve o’clock the soon to be 10 year old called to say she left her lunch at home.
I sold 12 pair of socks on ETSY today
At 9:twelve the oldest called for me to take her to Wally World to purchase a DVD/VCR player.
The 12 year old has me held hostage as I type his book report. ( I am his scribe)
There were 12 raviolies left over after dinner
The dog has passed gas 12 times as I sit here typing the book report. (note to self, no more raviolies for her)
Tomorrow is the twelfth day of December.
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12.10.07
Posted in Circular Sock Machine at 6:54 pm by Lynette
So here I am, merrily cranking out socks, taking ETSY orders and watching my ‘orders in process’ cubbies filling up with orders for socks. When what to my wondering eyes should appear but an email in my in box from Knitty.
Knitty is an online magazine of sorts. They have loads of info every month with book reviews and cool new stuff to use to knit. They have free patterns and interesting articles to read. Almost every knitter I know visits Knitty sometime each month.
Anyway, I receive an email from them stating they were going to feature my Knit Socks from YOUR Yarn service on their Knitty page. You can check them out here. Yeah, I know, I’m way down at the bottom. That’s OK, I’m happy to be noticed.
Needless to say, I’ve received a nice bump from this free mention. So much of a bump that I’ve had to close all orders for December and open a new ETSY listing for January. I really appreciate them picking up my information and posting it FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO SEE. It is a bit scary to think my picture is floating out there in cybor space and people who don’t know me are actually looking at it. It is one thing to have y’all read my blog. You know me. We’ve shares some interesting times here behind the Redwood Curtain.
I’ve heard some very nice feedback from those who I’ve knit socks for.
Things like this:
“How I love these socks! The are so beautiful and feel divine! Totally Happy Feet!!”
and this
“This has been such a great experience! Anyone and everyone should give this a try. The communication and topnotch customer service in outta this world - you are updated along the way from this friendly artisan. I will buy here again with confidence and recommend that other do the same!Thanks so much for this amazing service!!!” I knit 31 pair for her this past week.
Finally I like this one the best:
“Super-fast shipping, and they look great. I’m sure my husband will love them (and if not, I’m totally taking them!). Thanks!”
I can identify with this last one. I used to steal my husband’s Army Wool Socks to wear in the winter. They are a poor comparison to today’s modern wool socks. Those were coarse and itchy. These are soft and look much better than OD Green.
Yes, I’m tooting my own horn here. It is rewarding to see that the idea I had to make socks for other people has come to fruition. I’m off to sew up some toes…Onward and Upward.
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12.04.07
Posted in Circular Sock Machine, Knitting at 7:54 pm by Lynette
I admit, I work well under pressure. Some people say that I procrastinate. I’ve thought about this and I definately believe I work more efficiently under pressure.I’m through the biggest order this year. A customer sent me 31 skeins of yarn to knit up into socks. I’d decided I would tackle that job first to ‘get it out of the way’. Last night I finished labeling and blocking the socks and today it is off the the post office.
She sent me beautiful yarns. Most were hand dyed and many were purchased from ETSY stores. It was fun to see what other dying artists are doing out there. So after 24 hours of knitting socks for the past 4 days I’m through. Can you see the smile on my face? My DH says I look a bit frazzled. Well, um, yah I just finished 31 pair of socks!
If you need socks for the Holiday season knit from you yarn, I’m sorry to say I am booked. But starting January 1st I’m back in production. Go here for the details.
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