calgon, take me away

I truly haven't meant to be ignoring my blog. Things in my life have gotten quite difficult of late. In addition to all the "regular" stresses in this down economy we have had to make the decision to put my father into assisted living. His Parkinson's has progressed and the Dr. has decided that he can no longer drive. This means he can't go back to his house. It is too remote to be able to live there without a vehicle.
My DD doesn't think this is an issue, but it stresses me out. She is leaving next week for a trip to Europe to audition for ballet companies in Madrid, Dresden and Warsaw.... ALONE. When she first started planning this trip a friend was going to go with her, but her friend needs surgery to continue dancing next year so she is staying. Then, to top things off, both of the airlines she is booked with are having strikes. I am just hoping it works out OK. I have nightmares of her being stuck without a flight home. The company she is currently with didn't give any promotions or raises for next year and is planning to cut their season by 4 weeks meaning she will only be paid for 29 weeks. No companies in this country seem to be hiring. In a recession supporting the arts seems to be something that people cut from their budgets. It is going to be a terribly long month for us. She doesn't understand why we worry so much and won't until she has children of her own.
My work has also decided that our goals this year need to be more aggressive. I have 3 time consuming goals to complete, one for each of the next quarters this year including Microsoft Certification. We are being given limited time at work to work on these and no reduction of workload. I already spend approximately 11 hours a day on work including commute time and I have no idea how I am going to fit it all in. Sounds like I won't be doing a whole lot of sewing. :-(
At least DS is back to work. He's off on a cruise up the Mississippi with a strong admonishment to BE CAREFUL. We don't need any more calls from him as he's being loaded into an ambulance.

another march finish

Maybe this finish should count as more than one, but I'm just glad they are done.
There are 5 different styles of page to hold my different knitting needles. The pattern is all roughed out and ready to add pictures. I took a ton! If I put them all in the file will be huge. I have to crop and be sure I include just enough to illustrate the process. My first pattern. :-) I hope it is understandable. Our tech writer at work is going to proofread it for me and April is all set to test it. Then it will be ready for public consumption.

first march finish

So far one person wants to trade 1 1/2 inch squares with me. Kathie and I are going to see how much of a variety we have between the 2 of us. :-) I'm still looking for anyone else who might like to increase the variety of their reproduction tiny squares.

I have promised myself March is going to be a more productive month than February and so far so good. It was disappointing to only complete one project, but it has been a really busy month at work and there have been some family things that needed to be taken care of.

This is the cover to a binder that is going to hold my knitting needles. It has taken me a while to complete because I've been taking pictures of all the steps along the way. If you remember my friend April loved the one I made her for Christmas. She posted pictures on a number of Ravelry groups and has been keeping an eye on all the responses. I now have a lengthening list of people who want the pattern when it's done. Not much more to go. The pages are cut and fused so all that still needs to be done is to cut and put the pockets on the pages. And of course more documenting.