Down Time

Am looking forward to a weekend "off." May decide to stay off-line, as well. Have a couple of things to do, but mostly plan to just "be." Hoping for sunny weather and maybe a walk somewhere . . .

Productivity!

I got really inspired this weekend and did a lot of projects that have been on the to-do list for ages. I have this little drop-leaf table, about 2 to 2 1/2 feet square, and the legs that hold up the leaves needed reinforcing with corner braces and L brackets, etc. One of them had been previously reinforced, but needed a little more, the other was so wobbly I was almost afraid to use it. Now both legs are strong. And I did it all by hand. I bought a little hand drill and some bits, in case screwing the screws strait in with a screw driver was too hard, but it wasn't and I don't thing even a power drill would have made things go much faster. I just might not have gotten blisters on my hands. But they were only little ones and healed fast, and it felt so satisfying!

I also got some little mending projects done, along with shopping and housecleaning and did I mention a special night in with my bf?

Good Times!

Time to Knit

Made time this morning for going to a yarn shop with an open table for projects. Am hopping there will be others there to socialize with. Also, got a chance to catch up with an acquaintance while running an errand. Happy morning!

Guess I Really Can't Complain

Am really happy that it's finally raining again. We need it, and too much blue sky is boring. Although it was kind of fun and funny when we had 70-80 degree whether while the rest of the country was below zero. The only down side is it slows my commute and I don't get my walks with the baby--his parents don't want him getting wet.

Learning Curve

So I was all proud of myself for setting boundaries and came up with a way I could say "yes" to a request that I wasn't thrilled about, and then the other person went and pushed for more. And I gave in. And now I'm feeling bad about myself and walked-on again. :-(

On the bright side, I had the morning to myself, and I have two long audio books that are well written (as opposed to the filler I've been listening to) to enjoy.

OverTesting

So as nanny of an under-one I've heard a good bit about the lead-in-toys fiasco. Stopping it sounds like a good idea, but going to these lengths? There's this new act being proposed that will mandate testing for all toys and items that might ever be used by anyone under 12. Fine for Mattel, but what about the bath puppets I knit for my friends and relations? If I wanted to start selling them, I'd have to spend between a few hundred to several thousand dollars to comply with the testing regulations, and that's per toy. Even though the materials were certified lead-free in the store.

I'm writing my congress person.

More info at Mama-is and Handmade Toy Alliance

Or watch this:

Knitting in a New Era

Last night, I went to my first Knispirations meeting. And there was very little knitting. Instead it was stenciling. But still cool and crafty and the people were nice and I think I'll be going back. They invited me to join their meetup group as well, but it's the same week as another commitment. Different day, but still, it just might be too many evening things with work being what it is . . .

Speaking of work, listened to the NPR broadcast of the inauguration on my commute this morning, then arrived during a musical interlude to find the TV on and got to see the rest. Including the Presidential oath and speech. Very cool. Inspired me to go looking for those campaign photos from Silicorn Vally that Mom told me about over my last visit. Found what she was talking about. That was cool, too.