Happy New Year to one and all!! It seems weird to think that this is the last day of the year 2002. Where is all the time going too?? It was a year marked, for me, with new beginnings and eventful ends to certain things in my life. I hope that 2003 is one filled with peace, love, health and some time management would be nice too. This last week has proven to be quite interesting - computer crashes really do create chaos!! I have missed NOT being on line and visiting with my cyber-friends. Which leads me to say that my cyber-friends have truly become part of my heart and I treasure them dearly! Now - since I was not up & running on Sunday - here is my fiber week in review! All these skeins are 2 ply. (I honestly don't think I would ever use a 1 ply hand spun - would you?) A lincoln / shetland skein, 111 yards; 'forgot' wool, 34 yards; white shetland, 21 yards; shetland/southdown X , 15 yards; and 'mystery' wool, 12 yards. These smaller, spindle spun skeins will be used for SIS's (matching) afghan for Christmas 2003. YAY!! I am tickled that she liked mine so much!! I also started a scarf for a secret Santa swap for work which will be held sometime in January. I am using an interesting stitch and I will go into more detail (with photo) when completed!! I hope that this message is the first of many ... I am fearful that ol' Betsey, my computer, is still not 100%!! Sigh ... I hope that 2003 serves you well!!! Stay safe & celebrate responsibly tonight!! TAG ME ... you are it!

Happy Day After Christmas!! I hope all those the celebrate the holiday - did indeed enjoy it! I also hope that Santa was good to you & yours!! Even though I wasn't in possession of the 315 million dollar Powerball ticket - I did perfectly fine!! Hazel Rose Looms!! A Bosworth spindle in grenadilla!! The Sock Calendar!! Soaps from Goodies Unlimited!! Bruins tickets!! HO! HO! HO! But - the fun didn't stop there - today I ordered a sock kit from Joslyn's Fiber Farm!! OK - I had asked for one - didn't get it - so in the patriotic spirit of things (buy! buy! buy!) - I did!! I ordered the basic sock kit in Sammy yarn / color 'Moonbeams". If I enjoy doing it - I think I must also have the colorway "Treebark"!! ~~ Christmas itself was spent with family! It was a grand time - in a good old fashioned, New England snowstorm! Kudos to the people of 'JEEP' for making remarkably durable vehicle!! Thank-you!! ~~My MOM also gifted me with 'THE AFGHAN'!! She crocheted this Granny Square afghan!! It has taken a year to complete. It is also totally hand spun by MOI!! Completely all natural sheepie colors - all but the border was drop spindled. The border - a BL / coopworth X named 'Heady" was wheel spun. It fits comfortably on a twin sized bed - but it will be used in the den when a chill is in the air! My SIS wants one next Christmas - same colors - I will just need to find a grey fleece for her border!! AND - I have already begun spinning for it!! Christmas 2003 - will NOT catch me unawares!! Check this out: Christmas Countdown Clock!! I will keep it as a link in the side bar ... just to keep ME on my toes!! TAG ME ... you are it!!

Only 3 day until Christmas - OK - 2 shopping days ... boy, time DOES fly when one is unprepared. I am not saying that I am a total lost cause - but I do vow to start thinking of Christmas 2003 on January 1, 2003! That should give me plenty of time to get things completed, wrapped and sent out in a timely manner. More importanly - I want to ENJOY the season. This is the most magical time of all and everyone around me is stressed, unfocused and uncentered. This disharmony spreads havoc & chaos like a disease. That is why I vow to manage my Christmas-EE 'self' better next year. I spun a great deal today - and will continue tonight as the Patriots play a must win game against the NY Jets. Go PATRIOTS!! Anywhoo - in my 'fibery confession' segment, I completed a 112 yard, 2 ply skein of "Heady" , a BL/ coopworth X for the now infamous and yet to be completed afghan; 68 yards, 2 ply merino which will be used in a pair of slipper for The Ships Project and last but not least, a 25 yard, 2 ply skein of coopworth which I spun on my hatchtown production. I love having these little skeins around!! I also painted my holiday KLAUDETTE studio pillow - which I hope will arrive at its destination before Tuesday. I hope that everyone is able to relax and enjoy the abundant miracles of the season!! TAG ME ... you are it!!

I have been very remiss about posting of late!! AND I feel as there is no particular cause of the 'blog hiatus". Sure, I can blame work or Christmas or illness or 101 other varied excuses. But, excuses are what they would be!! I *think* that I just needed a few mental health days to concentrate on ME & MY things. 'My things' are laundry & grocery shopping! House cleaning & dog time!! Christmas shopping & Klaudette drawing!! All take time & energy - and a few days here and there are definitely warranted!! I DID break my 'fiber hiatus'!! I made 30 days without buying fiber. I cracked when a fellow spindler started her own dYe shop! Alice's 'Wonderland dYeworks' is open for business and the BFL batts are just beautiful! .... my 2 colorways arrived today! "Just before Sunrise" and "Forest Rainbow". She doesn't have her website up yet - but I will post it when she does!! The batts feel heavenly / the colors to dYe for!! - and maybe I will play with them on the wheel tonight. We will see - I am not making plans just yet! I will post my fiber confessions THIS coming Sunday! There wasn't to much to post about last week - and unless I go gangbusters tonight & tomorrow - there won't be too much fiberness to discuss THIS Sunday either!! And Christmas is less than a week away!! Are YOU ready?? TAG ME .. you are it!!

Fibery 'Fession Time!! And I must say - I am not overly proud of my lack of production this week. I DID complete a KLAUDETTE, which sold in one day on eBay!! YAY!! I DID complete and mail my 8th pair of slippers for The Ships Project!! I absolutely LOVE making these things!! AND I am glad that some wonderful member of our military is able to keep their feet warm because of my handspun!!! I DID also finish a 2ply, 123 yard skein for the afghan my Mom is making. Last week I incorrectly stated that this afghan was a 2 year work in progess. It has actually just been a year!! Seems like it has been forever!! I *might* even suggest to my sister that Mom & I collaberate on another afghan for her family for NEXT Christmas!! Sigh .... projects! Projects and MORE Projects!! This week - I hope to do more. I still need to Christmas shop - but our tree is UP!! No small feat considering all the STUFF we had to move out of the way to get to the attic 'crawl space' door!! Did I mention this door is in my studio???? TAG ME .... you are it!

COLD! That is the best way to describe today ... I mean, this is like January COLD! What is a girl to do except laundry & shop! Hey, with Christmas just around the corner - I must start!! But, today was also a day of gifts!! In the mail, from my friend Stasia I received a wonderful box of goodies!! A statue of the Southeast Light on Block Island (how cool is that??), stickers, a spindle holder for my Klaudette bags!!, hand lotion , a little bit o'beach and a cookie mold in the shape of lighthouses! How could I be cold after remembering all the fun I had in the surf & sun just a mere 2 months ago?? Boy - does time fly. This box really & truly boosted by spirits. Thanks Stas!! BUT - I still HAD to shop. It was a retail therapy kind of day. Chuck, if you are reading this **STOP**!! warning Christmas gifts for me ahead ......... first, I ordered myself some new soaps!! Aubrey of Goodies Unlimited makes the best soap in the world. My favorite - the Stress Free, Green Tea soap. Those antioxidants work wonders!! I also ordered myself the new Sock Calendar . Doesn't it look like FUN?? AND - maybe, just maybe a spindle or 2 - but that remains to be seen!! Still - no fiber!! Today, I celebrate my 29th day! It has been hard - but things are looking good!! Hope your day was as wonderful as mine!! TAG ME ... you are it!

The long week end is over. I will be glad to slow down my life again - living at the speed of sound is not my cup of tea. For the next three weeks - it will be more of this hectic pace which utterly DRAINS me. My spirit weakens - my soul collapses. Then - I get cranky! It is cold here - and they are predicting colder weather for this week. Wood stove time!! Woo-WHOO! It is usually lit everynight to take the chill off the house and us. It warms the heart, soul & mind! It is truly one of my favorite things that I love about our home! It is confession time for me ... and I actually DID get a good amount of spinning accomplished!! Here goes .... (all are 2 ply skeins) greeen corridale, 91 yards; a finn X & alpaca blend 32 yards; a corridale & GCNI blend, 15 yards; a wool & angora blend, 15 yards; a coopworth, BL X , 93 yards; and shetland, 25 yards. You can pretty much tell what I did on a spindle! All of the natural colored skeins were given to my Mom as she is crocheting an afghan for us. This afghan has been in the works for 2 years. It would be nice to have it for THIS Christmas, but I don't thing it will happen. I can dream though!! What did accomplish this week? TAG ME ... you are it!

It was our first official snow storm today!! Sure - we have had flakes here and there ... but today it SNOWED!! When I first awoke at 4:35 am (thanks to one of the dogs who needed to 'go out') it was snowing. When I left work at 1 pm - it was still snowing! When I shoveled the driveway - it was STILL snowing!! YiPpEE!! Everything looks "OH! So PRETTY!" Tonight will be one of those incredible nights spent in front of the wood stove - contemplating life while spinning!! Tomorrow is Thanksgiving - I prefer to be Thank-FULL everyday!! I think it would be wise for all of us to stop and take stock of our daily blessings. Some blessings are small. Others are in-your-face-huge!! While still others are wrapped tightly - waiting to be opened & acknowleged. Each blessing needs to be 'thanked' for entering into our lives - for each blessing has a name & a reason. This year - I have become extremely aware of the blessing of CHOICE. So - tomorrow I will celebrate & be thank-FULL for all the choices I face each day. The right to choose between right & wrong. The right to choose good over evil. The right to choose between hope & despair. The right to choose between love & hate. Some choices are difficult to make - some choices are easy. But it is the PRIVILEGE of choice that deserves recognition! ..... It has finally stopped snowing - and the sun made a CHOICE to say "hello & goodnight" in a quick breath. I thought you might like to see his whisper! TAG ME ... you are it!

Once again, I am to confess my fibery soul to everyone! I will admit to it NOT being a very productive week for me. I have been cursed with many distractions that have also limited my drawing time. An UNproductive me translates to an UNcreative me. There are high hopes with the impending shortened work week and with today being FOOTBALL day & all - I anticipate a truckload of skeins in the near future! GO PATS!! Well - if I make it thru today without purchasing any fiber - I will be able to celebrate my 20th day of fiber sobriety! This is the day I was actually hoping for! YiPpEE! Now - confession time: I completed my 7th pair of slippers for The Ships Project. These will be mailed most likely on Tuesday! My spinning - I am sorry to say - has only produced (1) 2 ply, 126 yard skein of blue GCNI and (1) skein of 27 yards, 2 ply GCNI, spindle spun. Not too much to brag about here!! So - here is wishing you a fibery day today .... wherever you are! TAG ME ... you are it!

So - today is the day that I confess all my fibery happenings for the previous week. I think I was somewhat successful - although there always seem to be little tid bits of time that I could be taking a few spins or knitting a few rows. It is also day # 13 of the self imposed fiber hiatus. It is actually working well as I need to reduce this mountain of stash!! If I can make it until the end of the month - now THAT would be something!! So - here is my weekly tally: completed & mailed my 6th pair of slippers for The Ships Project!! YAY!! I am so proud to be involved in this wonderful charity!! I also plied & set the twists to 163 yards of a marsh romney sheepie named Debbie and 88 yards of colonial!! But - the pride & joy of the week goes to a needle felted baby dragon that I made for my Spinning Santa. Each year on Spindlers we celebrate the winter holidays with a small exchange. I created this sculpture after I discovered that she (my exchange partner) liked dragons!! I think I had a productive fibery week!! TAG ME ... you are it!

I have decided to itemize a summary of completed fibery festivities on each Sunday. That way - everyone can see progress made. Even if it is a skein completed - that reduces the fiber stash!! Speaking of fiber stash - I am on a self imposed fiber hiatus. I want to see how long it will last!! Today is day # 10. Seems like just a wee bit of time - but for a fiber junkie - it is light years. Especially when so many enabling friends are constantly bombarding you with great rovings! Rovings has some great choices. I immediately fell for the 'PARROTS' colorway. How could I not when I share my life with a very demanding parrot named Kiwi!??? But - I can't!! I am strong!! I have will power!! ( I am woman - hear me roar!!) ~~ I was informed by my sister that my brother in law is requesting hand made wool sox for Christmas. Remember, that was my initial plan, but his size 13 feet scared me?? Well, I have already woven some mug rugs for him, but I will see what I can do. I think I have some yarn in my stash that I can use. He needs them for bed sox so strength of yarn isn't a real issue. Wish me luck! ~~ My husband & I also decided to sponsor one more child. John-larri is our 4th & final. I truly think that for $24 dollars a month sponsoring thru Childreach gives the world that little extra bit of love needed on a day to day basis. (OK- now you see why the self imposed fiber hiatus!! ggg) Anywhoo - please meet our 13 year old sponsored child .... John-larri! Doesn't he have THE most infectious smile ever??
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Long time - no post!! Today was supposed to be in the high 60's / low 70's today with sunshine!! Quite a change from the below normal temperatures that we have been receiving! Well, it is warmer - but no sun to be had. I hung laundry outside this morning in the hopes that it would dry - now, I am not so sure it will. I think it will be out there long enough to get that great, fresh smell into everything. YAY!! It is hard for me to believe that it is now November and Christmas will be just around the corner. I haven't been very pro-active this year in my shopping. My sister is getting her hand spun / hand knit sox and my BIL is getting some woven mug rugs. Their children are getting drop spindles - but I have no idea what else. Since it is just my husband & I - we each buy our own gifts, wrap them and put them under the tree. On Christmas Day - I open his to see what "I" bought him and he opens mine to see what "He" got me. We also throw in several little gifts - just so there is some surprise. So - Chuck, if you are reading this STOP!! It contains gift info!! One the items I have purchased for myself is a Hazel Rose Loom. I chose the Quilt Weaver's set in cherry. I thought that size would be easily adaptable to so many different things. I look forward to receiving it as my friend Nancie is the one who turned me onto weaving. Not like I needed another hobby - but since I am purchasing fiber faster than any animal can produce it (what happened to my self imposed moratorium on fiber purchases????) - any way that I can use it is a blessing. Now - speaking of purchasing fiber - River's fleece arrived at my door. This wool is FANTABulous!! There is nary a VM speck in it!! If I DID process my own fleece - this wouldn't be hard as it is so clean! If you are interested in Linnet's fleeces - run, do not walk to her website!! I have Bernadette reserved in 2003, Krystol in 2004!! Nancie has reserved Dandy & Karen has reserved Maggie!! Just in case you would like a peek at how easy it washed - given this complete novice - just LOOK!!! TAG ME ... you are it!!

I LOVE chilly weekends!! It is perfect FIBER time - and if you throw a football game ( or 2) in there - well - that is just a little slice of heaven!! Yesterday, I set the twist in a 2 ply Tunis skein and spun 2 bobbins of a churro/mohair blend.( This was done while watching Boston College upset Notre Dame. DH is a BC alumni!! ) I plied it this morning. I find singles definitely need to rest overnight. I personally don't like to wait to long to ply as I start to wander in a new fibery direction if I am not timely. I would rather store plied, set skeins - than have many 'dressed' spindles & bobbins!! Today - I will take up my knitting once again for The Ships Project!! I am committed to making 2 pair of slippers a month for this worthy cause. It is a great way for me to concentrate on the The Patriots Game today. They will need all the good vibes and good energy that can be tossed into the Universe for them today!! I also will let you know that I have placed a deposit on another of Linnet's fleeces!! Krystol will come to play with me in 2004!! WOW!! I can't believe how these sheepies book up!! River should arrive on my door step this week! YAY! Hope you all have a fibery day - and GO PATRIOTS!! TAG ME ... you are it!!

One of the really neat things about being a spinner is that you not only meet the nicest people - but - enabling runs rampant! New fibers, spindles, dYes - they are more than retail therapy - they are an addiction!! I take it as a compliment that Karen chose to reserve a fleece from Redbud Wool Farm!! Afterall - someone posted on Spindler's how wonderful these fleeces were AND I just HAD to HAVE one!! (OK - two!!) Like I said, it is one of the neat things about being a spinner ... sharing a good source! It is below normal temperatures here today - and I am invigorated!! I wrote all 3 of my sponsored children today and sent them each a decoration that I made. I keep peeking at all the others who need sponsors at Childreach and I am thinking about sponsoring one more. I already introduced you to my 2 little girls Ana-cecilia and Jealousy. Now, I would like you to meet Cesar - my little boy!! I am hoping maybe I can enable ... again!! TAG ME ... you are it!!

One of my goals for this year was to reduce my fiber stash by one rubber maid bin! HA!! I laugh!! This weekend was a GREAT fiber weekend for me!! I spun ever so merrily!! Yarn was niddy-noddied!! Twists were set!! AND fleeces ordered?? Yep!! Fleeces were ordered!! How could I resist when someone on the Spindler's List posted of remarkably clean, wonderful fleeces from sheepies with such names as Bari, Diamond, River & Bernadette?? I had to peruse the Redbud Wool Farm web site as quick as I could! "River" is coming to live with me this year and "Bernadette" will be living with me next! WOO-WHOO! Do take a peek at Linnet's (she is the sheepie's human Mom) farm!! These fleeces look gorgeous and they come HIGHLY recommended by some very discriminating hand spinners! I will let you know when I meet "River" in person. Now, will I process this fleece myself?? Absolutely ... NOT!! "River" will be whisked away to visit Gail at The Ozark Carding Mill. She has bailed me out in the past when I realized processing fleece was not a talent I possess. I also feel the need to purchase some of Margrett's wonderful GCNI fiber again. Running Moon Farm has some of the best dYed fibers I have ever seen! Margrett is a true artist and the Gulf Coastal Native Improved batts are a marvel to spin. So much for losing one rubber maid bin!! But - what a way to go .......... TAG ME ... you are it!

Each day, something always happens that amazes me. I find both inspiration & consolation in that fact. Every night ( OK, not EVERY night!) I write in a Gratitude Journal. I list 5 things that I am grateful for on that particular day. It could be something as simple as putting my feet on the floor in the morning, a warm meal at night or something totally mezmerizing as a swift sale of my artwork or a new found fiber!! Being grateful came about from my friend Stasia. She is both an inspiration - look at her weaving!! AND a consolation as she consoles MY soul knowing that she is just an email away. So - yes!! Each day, something always amazes me. Today - I mailed out my 4th & 5th pair of slippers for The Ships Project. By the end of this month - they will have hoped to collect 25,000 items for our armed services since the Project's inception a year ago. 25,000 items! I am amazed!! AND consoled, knowing that there are so many people willing to help each other out!! Hmmm.... one of the things I am grateful for tonight is my woodstove. I love it and tonight, I am lucky enough to have a skein drying right near it. I thought I would share it with you - as it was a perfect fall day today AND there may be a hint of snow in the air tomorrow. Stas - this one is for you .... TAG ME ...you are it!!

Even though I started my day with good intentions - while I was spinning in the wee hours, I began to feel 'un-well'. Every once in a while I see squiggles in front of my eyes. Not to worry - my eyes have been tested, and an MRI done - the squiggles just upset me & my stomach enough to throw me off center for the rest of the day. (Theresa - remember what I said about the car wash thing!!) Sometimes I think it happens when I am not performing at 100%. Or when I try to take to much on. Although I am not diagnosed with any particular malady - I know me well enough to know that I can't push myself the way I used too. Such is age. I thought wisdom came with age - not squiggles! Sigh ... But, I have been thinking about my new sponsored children and children who are neglected. I have also been thinking about animals - those that are unloved. I ponder about what the world would be like if every child had food & hugs! And every animal had food & hugs! Then I ponder about why the world isn't like this. I have started visiting a site on Theresa's BloG (see her link on left). It feeds Animals. I can do that - feed animals in need with a click!! Thanks Theresa!! Then maybe there is a way to combine the two ideals. Enter The Heifer Project!! How cool to give a family a sheep!! Hey - if I can't have my very own sheepie .... :) We will see. Until then - this is a photo of my Love Muffin "Diesel". He is half rottiweiler - not sure what the other half is!! We rescued him from a shelter at 12 weeks of age - he is now 4, almost 5!! And yes!! He gets food & hugs everyday - and PLENTY of both!! TAG ME ... you are it!!

It was wild weather here in the Northeast today!! An offical "Nor'easter" decided to visit - complete with drenching rain & gale force winds! Ok - I don't know if they were really gale force - but that is what the TV said MAY happen. I am so thrilled to be sitting here in my shearling slippers with the wood stove crackling away. It isn't that it is cold out - just damp. It was a great day to post a new Klaudette!! This little sheep is my alter ego!! It brings such joy to my heart that others love her as much as I do!! I feel very fortunate that I can do what I love to do. Today is "World Food Day"!
Childreach sent this information to its sponsors today :"Currently, more than 800 million people do not have enough to eat. What can you do? Locally - donate to local food banks and shelters. A gallon of water makes a
difference. Food banks and shelters are always in need of food and financial donations. Globally - support initiatives that build wells and provide access to safe,clean water. Around the world, Plan makes access to water a top priority. " Makes me really realize how lucky I am!! On that note - the little girl from Malawi who has been calling my name since Monday became my second sponsored child! So - in one week's time - I am a sponsor-MOM to 2 little girls. I feel very fortunate that I can do what I love to do! Please meet: Jealousy! TAG ME ...you are it!

Today, I became a MOM! Now, there is an eye-opener! I did not give birth or adopt ... I became a 'sponsor' mom. Well, my husband & I became sponsor parents thru Childreach!! They are based in Rhode Island and I have actually visited & volunteered at their home office. This is not our first sponsored child, we have done it before and it is an exhilarating experience! In perusing the website - it is difficult to choose - I found myself wanting to sponsor all the children!! But - when I saw Ana-cecilia - I knew she was an 'old soul' who touched mine. Serendipity!! I LOVE it!! She is 10 years old and lives in Columbia! I also found this website today - Erika - has created this website so others will know more about sponsored children. If you have the means to involve yourself in the lives of others - I urge you to do it. You may never know how you have touched someone, but if it 'feels good' to you - imagine what the recipient of your deed feels!! INTOXICATING!!!! On a fibery note - I plied almost 200 yards of a pygora blend and set the twist. It almost dried under the most perfect fall day!! I *think* since we *might* get a frost - the wood stove needs to be lit and they will finish drying there! But - I am a MOM tonight and I thought I would share a photo of Ana-cecilia. I took it from a sheet of paper - so it isn't the best photo in the world, but who cares!! I am a PROUD NEW MOM!! TAG ME ... you are it!!

It was damp & rainy here today - and after completing morning errands - I sat down to spin!! I finished the second bobbin of the romney x / alpaca blend from Sheepy Thyme Farms. It begged to be left in its natural state .... maybe because I think that it is the closest thing I will ever spin to a cloud. It is such an incredibly soft roving! I will ply it tomorrow as I like the singles to set a bit. It seems to take the wind out of their sails! (Or the curl out of their tails!!) Of course, I will be watching football as I ply!! Now, the NE Patriots are playing the Green Bay Packers - I say go "PATS!" My dear friend Stasia will be routing for the Packers. I hope the PATS win - but it is nice to know that my friend will be watching the game too!! (Hey Nancie, is KC playing tomorrow??) I also tagged & 'skeined' my cvm yarn from The Bellwether. It is 2 ply, 14 wpi and a total yardage of 318. I have no plans for it as yet - but it will speak to me eventually! It has to!! The wool was provided by sheepies "Romeo, Betty, and Red # 0101". I think "Red # 101" speaks the loudest! Have a great weekend and "GO PATS!" TAG ME ... you are it!!!